ESOCS Devotional 16 December 2022
TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 12:1-11
MEMORY VERSE: “You shall not at all do as we are doing here today-every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes; for as yet you have not come to the rest and the inheritance which the Lord your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 8 & 9
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
In our walk with God, we must be guided by one everlasting rule: we must learn to do the will of God in all things and at all times. We do not have the liberty to live our lives carelessly. The grace God has given to us in Christ is to enable us to freely organize our hearts and minds quite effortlessly in order to live a holy lifestyle. As Christians, we should always ensure that we do the things that are right in our spiritual, social, business, and career lives. We should be diligent not to have the character of doing what is right in our own eyes, which is not acceptable to God.
We should always remember that we owe our lives to God and that we would give account of how we spent our lives on earth both now and hereafter. People who are doing what is right in their own eyes fall into many errors. They play down the seriousness of the judgment of God. For this reason they are not mindful to retain the fear of God in them; and therefore, they do not care about God and the need for godliness. The Scripture says, “… they [do] not like to retain God in their knowledge” (Rom. 1:28). This is an unhealthy description of a people. Such people do not care to think about God or meditate on his word or on the things He demands from them.
God has given us the grace to triumph in all areas of life, especially to live above sin. That grace gives us the liberty to live above sin. We should not live a careless life. We should be mindful that what our arch-enemy, the devil wants for us is to sever the relationship with our heavenly Father. He would succeed if we make it possible for him to do so. The grace of God is sufficient for us (2 Cor. 12:9 ); and it would enable us exercise our God-given will-power. The will-power in us is like the talent (Matt. 25:24-28). We need to put it to use. If we fail to do so, we will offend God. He is often happy with people who invest what He has given them, whether in terms spiritual or material gift.
The Scripture condemns the attitude of under minding God’s feelings when we live unrighteous lifestyle. One cause of such behaviour is when we feel we are in the comfort zone and we forget that we have not entered into the Lord’s rest. The Israelites forgot that they had not reached the Promised Land and became careless in their lifestyle. God had given them a few victories and they relaxed and chose not to be conscious of the journey ahead. We should not be like them. We should remember that we have not arrived heaven yet. Therefore, we should consciously watch the things we do. We can only relax or say we are in our comfort zone or that we are taking our rest only when we have entered into heaven. Until this is so, we should remain alert like the soldiers at the war front who are where the battle is thickest. It is not yet time for rest.
CHALLENGES
- Do you find it difficult maintaining a holy lifestyle?
- What would do with the comfort that God gives?
PRAYERS
- Pray God for support at all times in all areas of your life.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 16 December 2022
