How loyal are you to God’s leaders?

 24 May 26

Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One

Readings:

1 Chronicles 11

1 Chronicles 12

1 Chronicles 13

John 9:1-23

And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” (1 Chronicles 11:17). 

How loyal are you to God’s leaders?

David yearns for a drink of water from Bethlehem, his birthplace; however, the Philistines block the way. Three of David’s mighty men risk their lives to fulfill his desire. First Chronicles reports, “So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David” (1 Chronicles 11:18). Now that’s loyalty! David is a man of war; he needs faithful and loyal men by his side. Through the ages, loyal servants have stood with men of God. Think about the following list of loyal assistants to their leader: Joshua, Caleb, Elisha, Timothy, Epaphroditus, and the apostles. 

Employment Point: Be loyal to the men of God in your life.

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Reflections

“Abishai the brother of Joab was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. He was doubly honored above the Three and became their commander, even though he was not included among them.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭11‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• a person such as Abishai mentioned in the bible as someone who is doubly honoured above the Three and became their commander, even though he was not included among them as warriors. It’s interesting that his name is specifically mentioned in this way.
• Perhaps there are also people whose names are not specially mentioned for honour but doesn’t mean they are anything less.
• As a child of God, we too, ought not to be overly concerned about honour or title but just be glad that the Lord chose us as His vessel to do His works.

“Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭12‬:‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• God is our protector and Saviour. On those that He anoints He made sure that they are well guarded and protected by His angels. Just look at the amount of loyal warriors that is with King David.
• Actually the same is also with us. If we look back at our lives, we will be able to see God’s hands in everything. How He has sent angels to our aids and provided us with Godly counsels too. He is always good. Thank You Lord

“All these were fighting men who volunteered to serve in the ranks. They came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. All the rest of the Israelites were also of one mind to make David king. Also, their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules and oxen. There were plentiful supplies of flour, fig cakes, raisin cakes, wine, olive oil, cattle and sheep, for there was joy in Israel.”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭12‬:‭38‬, ‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• It just looks different for the anointed one of Israel. There is oneness and provision. We know this can only be made possible by God. Such amazing grace and power and honour that was given to King David. 
• the Lord loves and cares for us too, providing us with many. Indeed we have no lack. Psalms 23:1

“When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.”1 Chronicles‬ ‭13‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• We may think that Uzzah just wants to stabilise the ark since the oxen stumble. It is an act of goodwill. However on the other hand, God had made a covenant with the people and only anointed people can carry the Ark or even go near it. anyone who goes against this rule-the result is death. God is not kidding on this. He can be the loving Father to us all, but also let us not forget that He is also the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
• Similarly, we too may act like Uzzah, trying to ‘help’ God but in fact we are not able to. Because we are not the chosen ones to do those things. So before we act, it is best that we always take a pause and seek the Lord and not rush into things. Everything will be done in God’s perfect timing. We just need to trust and remember our place.

“Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents.”John‬ ‭9‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• Facts and truths as is and actually are all over the bible but people can still be in denial and choose not to believe. They think all these are coincidences, sorcery, magic, etc., in fact anything, other than proclaiming that Jesus is Lord and God.
• We are the same too at times, when we know the truth and yet run away from the truth. Refusing to believe and doubted the existence of everything. We are blinded by our own judgment and trust issues, blinded by our wanting to control everything, blinded to His higher plans and thoughts too that we all forgot who God is.

In our life as a child of God, we are called to only pledge allegiance to our Lord God and no one else. However, we definitely have to also be loyal to our God’s leaders. They are specially anointed for a purpose and we are to encourage, pray and support them in all ways possible.

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The Delight of Despair

BY OSWALD CHAMBERS

May 24

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. —Revelation 1:17

It may be that, like the apostle John, you know Jesus Christ intimately. Yet when He suddenly appears to you with totally unfamiliar characteristics, the only thing you can do is fall “at His feet as dead.” There are times when God cannot reveal Himself in any other way than in His majesty, and it is the awesomeness of the vision which brings you to the delight of despair. You experience this joy in hopelessness, realizing that if you are ever to be raised up it must be by the hand of God.

“He laid His right hand on me…” (Revelation 1:17). In the midst of the awesomeness, a touch comes, and you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ. You know it is not the hand of restraint, correction, nor chastisement, but the right hand of the Everlasting Father. Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it gives inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that “underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27), full of support, provision, comfort, and strength. And once His touch comes, nothing at all can throw you into fear again. In the midst of all His ascended glory, the Lord Jesus comes to speak to an insignificant disciple, saying, “Do not be afraid” (Revelation 1:17). His tenderness is inexpressibly sweet. Do I know Him like that?

Take a look at some of the things that cause despair. There is despair which has no delight, no limits whatsoever, and no hope of anything brighter. But the delight of despair comes when “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells…” (Romans 7:18). I delight in knowing that there is something in me which must fall prostrate before God when He reveals Himself to me, and also in knowing that if I am ever to be raised up it must be by the hand of God. God can do nothing for me until I recognize the limits of what is humanly possible, allowing Him to do the impossible.

1 Chronicles 22-24; John 8:28-59

WISDOM FROM OSWALD

It is impossible to read too much, but always keep before you why you read. Remember that “the need to receive, recognize, and rely on the Holy Spirit” is before all else.

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Reflections

The experiences Oswald speaks off reminds me of a few encounters that I have and each and every such encounter can only bring about the humility in us. 

• During worship. It does not happen all the time but there are times when we are singing and giving praise to Him, that we sense His awesomeness, His very presence moving in our midst, that one cannot stand but have to come down at His feet. Or His love that fills us and overwhelms us that no words can come out of our mouths because we are just awestruck by His love and can only embrace Him and let Him to continue filling us. Who are we that our Almighty Lord cares and loves us so, someone who is made of dust? In Him, we find love.

• In moments of despair. Especially when we ourselves are spiritually weak and have hit the wall. We ask for prayers and can feel our own emotions change, our spirits lifted, the sadness or bitterness fading away and being filled with His shalom peace. Only His hands can lift us out of darkness because He is the true light. Darkness can never win the light as He will shine His light in every corner of our heart until every hidden thing is being revealed and dealt with. In Him, we find peace.

• In discipline. I remember the times when He gently reminded me of the things that should not be done. Things fell. Things fly. He spoke to me directly to stop me from ruminating further. All those times were the times when I have somehow come to a point of shock, followed by the sense of guilt and humility that I have to come to His feet to repent and seek forgiveness. I went overboard and did not even realised it. He never spoke an angry word to me but the visible manifestations are no joke. I knew by then, I had to obey. There’s no turning back and this discipline came from our Abba Father. Not like a discipline master that gave a stern face. He lovingly teaches us limits that should not be crossed. Be careful, be really careful not to incur His wrath. In Him, we find hope.

Let’s pray:

Dear Abba Father, there is so much to learn from You and of You. We can never understand how much You love us and how much pain there is to go through in order to save each and every one of us, all unworthy sinners made from dust. Yet You love each and every one of us like Your own, taught us like Your own and guide us like Your own. Thank You for this eternal love Abba Father. Thank You for accepting us as Your beloved children. In Jesus’s most beautiful name we pray. Amen 🙏🏻