ESOCS Devotional 26 August
TEXT: 1 Samuel 18: 1-19
MEMORY VERSE: “And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.” 1 Samuel 18:14
The thing that makes the difference between true Christians and others is character or behaviour. Our attitude is what would set us apart from others. The way we have modelled our lives would determine the kind of things we do and the kind of things we say; and also, how we do or say those things. The scripture witnesses to David’s dispositions: David behaved wisely in all his ways. The result was that: the Lord was with him. Good behaviour would always attract God’s favour and blessings to us if we discipline ourselves to practise it. It would also commend us in the sight of people. Joseph was another boy who was of good behaviour. God loved him immensely for it and blessed him continually. When he refused to commit the sin of adultery, his master’s wife lied against him and he was sent into prison. The scripture says, “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper” (Gen. 39:21-23).
Let us begin to train our minds to think only good thoughts. Our actions, reactions, and what we say are products of what our minds contain; therefore, our manners and behaviour are the outward manifestation of what we are internally. As the scripture says: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7); and also, “…out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). If we keep our hearts clean at all time, we would lead a holy lifestyle. This was what the boys, Joseph and David, did and they were able to live a holy lifestyle; and they obtained favour in the sight of the Lord.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
We are the architects of what comes to us in life, whether good or ill. God had structured the world and life that exists in it is such a way that everything we do follows the natural law of farming: whatever anyone sows is what he is going to reap. If the boy Joseph had sowed the seed of fornication, his imprisonment would have been justified. But he was clean in his heart and consequently, he sowed the seed of righteousness; therefore, he reaped the fruit of the abundant favour and grace from God. The scripture says: whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.
The boy David won a resounding victory against Goliath. All Israel acknowledged him above King Saul to the extent that the king became very jealous and tried to kill him a number of times. But David also had a beautiful heart; and so he continually did things that God loved. He did not allow his success to get into his head and make him proud. Rather, he forgave and still loved and respected the king; and because of this and many other godly attributes he had, the scripture says concerning him: “David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.” Let us imitate the two young boys in these things and develop and nurture a golden heart for ourselves.
CHALLENGES
- Give yourself the exclusive duty to train your heart in all godliness.
PRAYER POINT:
- Pray that God may give the spirit and heart of Christ.
FURTHER READING:2 Samuel 1:28-32; 3:1-18; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; 2:1-16
Thank you for reading the ESOCS Devotional today. Please share and follow us on all our platforms to contribute to the spread of the Gospel.
ESOCS Devotional 26th August
