ESOCS Devotional 20 August
TEXT: 1 Samuel 13: 13-23
MEMORY VERSE: “Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, ‘Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears.’ But all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen each man’s plow-share, his mattock, his axe, and his sickle… So it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found inthe hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan” 1 Samuel 13:19-22
At that time in history, Israel was under the dominion and oppression of the Philistines. They could not do anything for themselves without the approval of the authorities of the Philistines. All the blacksmiths were banned from working in Israel. They were not permitted to make swords and spears with which to fight and protect themselves in times of war or aggression. It was such a terrible situation that anyone who wanted to sharpen his farm implements would have to go down to Philistine. They were almost slaves in their own land.
A certain question arises here: Why were the Israelites going through such horrible experience? The answer is very simple: It was because they left the God of their fathers who delivered them from bondage in Egypt and began to worship the gods of the other nations. God hates this attitude with perfect hatred (Ex. 20:1-5). Again, they abandoned the ways of God, which He taught them through the prophets and began to live a life of sin and iniquity.
Many Christians today are under the bondage and dominion of their enemies and the kingdom of darkness because they have behaved like the Israelites. They have abandoned the God who delivered them from satanic influence and dominion and have gone back to embrace the life of worldliness. The scripture says: “But it is happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit,’ and ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire’” (2 Peter 2:22). But this contradicts what God has planned for us. He redeemed us that we may be a special people. He “called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Our part is to march on toward the New Jerusalem; not to go back to Egypt. We should not allow the pleasures of life or the trials of life make us derail or walk away from the glorious call to be separated from this present world. Again, if we do not align our souls to Christ, it would be impossible for us to become spiritual blacksmiths (true Christians) who would be able to make spiritual swords and spears (faith, holiness, righteousness, love, and the like), which we would use to fight and trample over every power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). We would not need to go to the enemy’s camp (kingdom of darkness and worldly people) to obtain what we need. We would simply ask our Father in heaven and it would be given to us freely, and without conditions attached (John 16:23). This is because our lifestyle would show evidence to Him that we have truly accepted His only begotten Son as our Lord and Saviour.
CHALLENGES
- What efforts have you made to mould your hearts into what God wants?
- What particular thing poses the greatest challenge to you in your Christian race?
PRAYER POINT:
- Pray that you may be given the power to overcome trials and temptation.
FURTHER READING:Zechariah 12:1-14; 13:1-9; Romans 11:21-36; 12:1-16
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ESOCS Devotional 20th August
