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DCLM Daily Manna 21 February 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Extended Grace
TOPIC: Extended Grace (DCLM Daily Manna 21 February 2023)
KEY VERSE: “And Elisha said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.” (2 Kings 3:14).
TEXT: 2 Kings 3:14-27 (KJV)
14 And Elisha said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.
15 But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.
16 And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Make this valley full of ditches.
17 For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.
18 And this is but a light thing in the sight of the Lord: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.
19 And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.
20 And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.
21 And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border.
22 And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood:
23 And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.
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24 And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in their country.
25 And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kirharaseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.
26 And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not.
27 Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.
DCLM Daily Manna For Today MESSAGE:
On many occasions, people have received favour or have had to enjoy certain privileges. This was not necessarily because they merited it, but because they were somewhat associated with people whose names and personality command respect. Some children have had doors of employment and other opportunities opened for them because of the goodwill of their parents and family ties.
Despite the iniquity of Jehoram, king of Israel, the Lord stood up for his sin-infested country against Moab. This was due to the intervention of Prophet Elisha who himself interceded on Israel’s behalf because of the presence of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. The Lord also provided the king of Israel and his livestock with water to drink, having gone without water for some time. Prophet Elisha made it clear that defeating Moab was a light thing before God.
The Lord put confusion in the camp of Moabites by making them see the water opposite them as blood of the kings who had come to fight them. He eventually gave Moab into the hands of Israel as He had promised through His prophet. Jehoram and the nation of Israel did not merit this act of mercy and the victory they got. They were only fortunate to have had God show them mercy because of Jehoshaphat, a righteous king. This is undeserved favour.
God does not deal with us as we always deserve. The favours we enjoy day by day are not really because we are strong or righteous enough. Sinners sometimes enjoy unmerited mercy from God by the reason of those they associate with.
It could be because of a praying mother or father, an interceding pastor or a concerned friend. When this happens, sinners should not take it for granted and continue in sin. Rather, it should elicit gratitude from them. And one way of expressing gratitude is by totally yielding to the Lord and obedience to His Words.
There is no guarantee that the favour and extended mercy you enjoy now will continue if you choose to remain in sin and disobedience. The sinner does not have a guaranteed future. Now is the set time to put things right and enjoy sonship rights and privileges that are interminable.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Forbearance and patience of God ought to evoke repentance in the sinner.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Luke 11-12
