I find something curious about Mr & Mrs Manoah. Judges 13 picks their story by informing us that the woman was barren. Well, it was a test of their love that despite that challenge they were still together. But like similar cases in the Bible that problem was only meant to be temporary. And as in all biblical examples, too, the product from such marriage would be a champion for God. Meanwhile an Angel was sent to communicate the mind of God to the family. One would expect that such message should come first hand to Manoah, being the husband and head of the union. That was not to be as the Angel went straight to the woman to give her the good news, which she eventually relayed to her husband. The man, now growing inquisitive, prayed that God might send the messenger back. God obliged him; but again the Angel appeared to the woman while she was in the field. Is this a case of Manoah not knowing how to be in the right place at the right time? For unless we know the mystery of accurate and timely positioning we will never be able to hear, see, and do what God has in mind. Well, this could only be a matter of speculation.

God works with people who are open and accessible. When God finds such people the issue of gender is set aside. God does this to prove that He is not a respecter of persons. Anyone who meets His conditions is accepted by Him.

The other way to look at this is to understand the way God works. Usually He looks for an entry point into a family or an organization to carry out His will. This entry point is anyone who is attuned to spiritual vibe. God works with people who are open and accessible. When God finds such people the issue of gender is set aside. Age does not even count when God is looking for access. We have known of families where it is one or two of the children that understands and yearns for God. They simply become the priests of their families as God honors them and confirms their word. God does this to prove that He is not a respecter of persons. Anyone who meets His conditions is accepted by Him.

This is one of the elements contained in Jesus’ prayer pattern communicated to the disciples. There are at least three things we can deduce from this. The first is that it settles the question of regularity of prayer. How often should we pray? Prayer should be a daily occurrence. If we come to grip with this we will literally experience revolution in our prayer life and, invariably, in all pursuit. Imagine for instance that the breath that you breathe is rationed out on a daily basis. Imagine further that what qualifies you to receive the ration for the day is prayer. Will you pray under this kind of circumstance? Well, not to pray would mean death. But in actual fact that is what happens. Prayer is the vital life of a believer. This is why the Bible instructs that we should pray always and not faint.

Greed is not simply an insatiable lust for more of everything; it is also an expression of fear for tomorrow.

From another angle “give us this day our daily bread” is an exhortation not to worry about our future. This point was later stressed at the end of this chapter where Jesus said “sufficient unto the day is the trouble thereof”. Greed is not simply an insatiable lust for more of everything; it is also an expression of fear for tomorrow. Why do people want to grab everything at the present? It is because they are afraid that there would be nothing to fall back on tomorrow. This was the fear that informed the children of Israel gathering manna in excess of daily ration and leaving it overnight. For those who understand their God they know they can always fall back on Him. Finally this line of prayer teaches us to expect something from God everyday. Why would Jesus teach us to pray this prayer everyday unless Heaven is willing to shower us with blessings daily? From now walk out of your door everyday expecting that something good is going to happen to you.

There are many things in the Bible that are easier read than believed. One of them is the passage set before us. Jesus said that those who believe will do what He did, and even greater. Well, if you have taken count of what Jesus did, you will agree that this is a tall order. But we should not be overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of this promise; what we should be concerned with is how to step into the reality of it. First, we must begin by appreciating that there is no frivolity in the promises of God. He would not promise what He knows is impossible. This should inspire our faith and our quest.

Jesus actually tied our greater works to the fact of His going to the Father…the hope of our doing exploits is anchored on being able to step into the realm of Spirit activity. He would not promise what He knows is impossible.

From here we need to proceed to understand how Jesus accomplished the works that He did. During this year’s Christian Leaders Advance Strategic Service Intensive Course (CLASSIC) one of the Guest Facilitators, Dr. Delron Shirley said Jesus had to step into the realm of human activity in order to do the things He did. As I reflect on this it dawned on me that the reverse of this has to take place if we must do what He did. In other words, the hope of our doing exploits is anchored on being able to step into the realm of Spirit activity. When this happens we will see the same kind of mighty works following us wherever we go. This tallies perfectly with the Bible. Jesus actually tied our greater works to the fact of His going to the Father. The implication of going to the Father was that the Spirit would come upon those who believe. There are so many things happening in the realm of the Spirit that we are currently ignorant of. We need our eyes to be opened so we can be on levelled terms with what the Lord is doing at the moment.

The terrorist attack on United States soil on September 11, 2001 changed the world in more ways than we could possibly count. One of its aftermaths was government’s effort to rally every citizen to becoming more security conscious and to help look after each other. The concept of community policing may have been in place before 9/11, but it gained more prominence after it. “If you see something say something”  is now a popular catch-phrase in America. If anybody makes a suspicious move public spirited individuals will wrest him to the ground. You cannot even joke with words that are security sensitive without being accosted. The sense in this is simple: watching over others is watching over yourself.

We are made to be our brother’s keeper. Those who fail in this assignment may find out sooner than later that they have become sufferers in their brother’s error.

In our passage for today Paul instructs us to seek the wealth or welfare of other people. Since we live in community whatever happens within that community will definitely have impact on the rest of us. A good example in the Bible is the story of Jonah in the ship during his rebellious, aborted trip to Tarshish. He alone disobeyed God, but everybody in the vessel were at the risk of losing everything, including their lives. Meanwhile, Jonah was sleeping while everyone panicked. Could they have said, “O, this man is deep asleep; he must be really tired. Don’t let’s disturb him”. That would not only be stupid but suicidal. They woke him up, and recruited him to join their corporate effort for solution. As far as life and living is concerned you cannot be indifferent to what is happening to your neighbours. We are made to be our brother’s keeper. Those who fail in this assignment may find out sooner than later that they have become sufferers in their
brother’s error.

We continue our meditation on dealing with  a house with suspicion of leprosy. After shutting the house for seven days the priest returns for second inspection. If the darkened spot had spread beyond its initial point then he commands the affected stones to be taken down. New stones are fixed and covered over with new mortar. That again is subject to another seven days of observation. This goes to confirm one of the points we made yesterday, that following God’s procedure takes time and patience. At the end of this period the priest returns for another inspection, the third in the series. If there is no longer a reoccurrence of blackened or reddened spot, the house is proclaimed clean and good for habitation. But if the spots not only return but also spread to other parts of the house, it is considered “active leprosy”. The only recommendation for this situation is to throw down the entire building.

In our lives there will be occasion to make some minor adjustment to our affairs…to be able to spot the difference between what requires just some minor adjustment and what we need to discard with altogether.

What sense can we make of this? In our lives there will be occasion to make some minor adjustment to our affairs. Maybe a new skill is to be acquired or a change in orientation is what is called for. At other time we may need something more radical or surgical. An entire structure may have to be brought down not only to build something new but also build more accurately as God will like. Here is where maturity is needed, to be able to spot the difference between what requires just some minor adjustment and what we need to discard with altogether. Imagine the priest destroying the house that needed just changing a few stones or changing a few stones where everything ought to be brought down! It is a prayer worth praying, not to be found killing what God wants to spare or sparing what God wants killed.

Our previous meditation stressed the point that God is detailed and has procedures for everything. Let us return to this point again today with a slightly different emphasis. The whole of Leviticus 14 is devoted to procedures relating to leprosy, either on persons or buildings. The particular focus of this meditation is the latter. The procedure to deal with the plague of leprosy on a house begins with suspicion. If the owner of the house sees some darkened or reddened spots on his building he goes straight to inform the priest. At the order of the priest everything in that house must be vacated, persons and all. After this the priest goes in for physical examination. He then commands the house to be shut for seven days; after which he returns again for another round of inspection before a further pronouncement is made.

God’s procedure is not what we can do in a hurry…God has different ways of making the truth known. What is important is to have a heart for the truth and be open to whatever channel God will use to communicate His mind to us.

The first lesson is the fact that following God’s procedure is not what we can do in a hurry. People are often carried away by the speed at which something is done; but God is more concerned with the thoroughness of the steps. The second thought is the fact that the priest having to make investigations at all before knowing the state of things with the house. Since God is all knowing, why won’t He just make known the status of the house at the very first visit? Well, God has different ways of making the truth known. Some truth will be communicated to you by revelation. Others will come to you through observation. And there are instances where you will need to set up experiments as in the case of the priest in this example. What is important is to have a heart for the truth and be open to whatever channel God will use to communicate His mind to us.

This is one of the several instructions that God rolled out for Israel whenever they were to execute any war. First, they were encouraged not to be afraid of their enemies, no matter how many they were for the singular reason that God was with them and He was fighting their battle. Then the officers would announce for anyone who had built a house and had not dedicated it to vacate the army. It was a magnanimous arrangement from God, so that the builder would not forfeit the pleasure of living in the house if he was killed in battle. Next on the list would be those who planted a vineyard and had not eaten of it. This group was also excused for the same reason as those who built houses. Finally, those who have betrothed wives but had not yet consummated it were equally excused. This was what they were commanded to do at the eve of every battle.

God is always detailed in His affairs and leaves nothing to chance. God has precepts for all things. When we search His word we will uncover them.

We will like to see this as standard procedure that God established. God is always detailed in His affairs and leaves nothing to chance. The Psalmist made a veiled reference to the fact that everything of God has procedure. “Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” (Psalm 119:128). God has precepts for all things. When we search His word we will uncover them. Let it be said that the only way to enjoy His backing and blessing is to follow divine procedure for all things. Even if we consider this at a personal level we still stand to gain tremendously when we set up procedure for our businesses and careers. We cannot enjoy greater order, peace, and progress than the level of procedure we operate by.

When God gave an open cheque to Solomon to ask what he wanted he asked for wisdom and understanding to be able to handle his mandate, that of ruling the people of God. God was impressed with Solomon’s request because it was out of the usual refrain. So pleased was God that He not only gave him what he asked but added other things that an average person goes after. Most people would ask for long life or riches or for the life of their enemies, as God suggested in His remark to Solomon.

A long life with mission unaccomplished is failure and misery…Know that God will give you life long enough to finish the task He has assigned you.

Many people are particular about long life. This reflects in the wishes given on birthday anniversaries.. Hundreds of people will wish you  long life and prosperity. As good as this appears those who have eternal life should not be overtly concerned with long life. What is longer than eternal life anyway? There is an aspect of our being that will never die. Our spirit will spend eternity in the presence of the Almighty God. Our concern should be how to live and accomplish our mission on earth, whatever that mission is. A long life with mission unaccomplished is failure and misery. Neither Jesus nor Paul were preoccupied with how long they lived. It did not really matter anything with them; what counted was finishing God’s mandate. I came across an anonymous writer who settled everything for me with this prayer: “God, give me work till my life shall last-and life till my work is done”. Know that God will give you life long enough to finish the task He has assigned you.

If you labour for God you probably won’t need intercession to be rewarded. Why? Because God is a faithful and capable employer. Faithful because He will keep to the terms of the contract; and capable because He has the resources to pay you. This belief was reinforced in one of my mission trips. I went to Jalingo, Taraba State to minister. That was my first time in that part of the country. It was at the instance of a man who sat under my teachings some 22 years earlier. Then he was just a young brother in the assembly. In his own words he got baptized in the Holy Spirit without anyone laying hands on him. That occurred one day while I was teaching on Believers’ Identity. The young man of years ago has become a man of God in his own right, and a successful one too. He and his people received me royally. You can only imagine my excitement when I saw the fantastic work he is doing. He took time to regal me with many wonderful things I taught which gave him solid foundation in his faith walk. I consider people like him scattered over Nigeria and nations of the earth as part of the reward of my labour in the ministry.

God will reward every faithful labour for His name’s sake…there is no need to slack; our work will be rewarded when the time is ripe.

Let it be said again: God will reward every faithful labour for His name’s sake. There are two things, however, that are not in our power to decide. One, it is not in our power to decide how He might reward us. As at the time I started preaching there was no monetary reward as it were. Now the reward is coming in unlimited open doors of ministry, plus attendant honour. The second thing we don’t have power to decide the timing of the reward. Some of the things I see as harvest today date back to seed sown two decades or more. Some rewards come early; others are much longer in coming. When expected rewards appear slow in coming people get weary in well-doing. We need to take the passage of our meditation serious; there is no need to slack; our work will be rewarded when the time is ripe.

The Koma people live on the mountainside of Adamawa state. Before the current little light of civilization began to shine on them they went about almost naked. They merely covered their lower parts with leaves, reminding us of the vague attempt of Adam and his wife to cover themselves after their sin. Recently I watched a little documentary about them, showcasing some aspect of their culture. The young ladies that were paraded had their two upper teeth removed. The belief was that without that, they would not be able to bear children! That implies until you had your teeth removed as a young lady you cannot dream of having a suitor, as the young men would consider you infertile! To those outside that culture this flies in the face of everything – sense, science, and scripture – but to them it meant everything. That is how enslaving culture could be. Thank God, this barbaric act has now been outlawed.

Let God be true and every culture a liar. On issues of culture, and all other issues for that matter, the Word of God must be supreme.

The Pharisees had running battle with Jesus over culture and the traditions of the elders. On one occasion they challenged Him because His disciples ate with “defiled hands”. By that they meant eating without washing hands, because their tradition frowned at such. Jesus rebuked them for breaking the laws of God in a bid to keeping their tradition. One thing we notice about this group is that they love to cling to the irrelevant things and neglect the major issues. That’s why Jesus never gave them a chance. On issues of culture, and all other issues for that matter, the Word of God must be supreme. Every culture must be examined against the backdrop of at least two things. One, it should not be anything that inflicts bodily or emotional injury on people; otherwise we are no better than beasts in the field. More importantly, it must not contradict the written word of God. Outside of these, let God be true and every culture a liar.

People are quick to see and describe others from the negative side. That is why you hardly hear Bartimaeus called without the prefix “blind”. For one thing the man did not remain blind all his life. Yet from another angle there were so many good things about this man. He took the chance that came his way. As soon as he knew that it was Jesus passing by he began to call out for help. The disciples tried to hush him; but that only rekindled his determination. He cried out so loud that Jesus had to stand still. He got his miracle. Why do we prefer calling him blind Bartimaeus, and not Bartimaeus the persistent? Or Bartimaeus the faithful? Think of Thomas as another example. I am not sure anyone else has taken the kind of bashing that this man has continued to receive. He is the butt of preachers’ jokes. We call him doubting Thomas. But it is on record that this man did not remain a doubter. History even has it that he went to India and did great works for His Lord there.

Focus on the good things of others. If you look through the eye of God you will find something to celebrate in every life.

It is the notion of seeing people from the negative side that the passage for today is trying to correct. Elizabeth and her husband had served God faithfully despite the fact that they hadn’t any child yet. God sent His angel to inform the priest while in the course of his duty that his wife would give birth to a son. This miracle was what the angel needed to stir up the faith of a virgin that she would give birth to the Messiah. The angel informed her that Elizabeth was already six months pregnant, even though people “called her barren”. While people called her barren God had a great plan of glory for her and it came to pass. As many as are spiritual should look away from the downside of others. Focus on the good things of others. If you look through the eye of God you will find something to celebrate in every life.

This is the third time that the whole of Israel would set their battle array against the tribe of Benjamin. They had been routed in two previous attempts. A prelude to this war will help us to glean some useful lessons. A Priest had travelled with his mistress to the coast of Benjamin. There some street boys seized the woman and molested her all night long until there was no more breath in her. The Priest cut her lifeless body into twelve parts, sending each tribe of Israel a part. That odious thing was the reason why they went to war, but not until Israel had demanded for the men who did this evil to be handed over for justice. It was Benjamin’s refusal that led to this war.

A just cause alone does not guarantee victory in life…Losing one or two battles is not the same as losing the war. With God on your side the final outcome will be favorable.

The foregoing reveals that they had a just cause to fight for; yet they lost the first two rounds. A just cause alone does not guarantee victory in life. The first defeat saw them return to the house of God. They asked whether they should go fight again; and the Lord gave them permission to go. But again they lost the battle. This also tells me that the fact that God gave you liberty to get into a thing does not alone guarantee automatic victory. Israel came back to the house of God. This time around they added a fast to their waiting on the Lord. They even offered sacrifices. It was at this point that God asked them to go again with the firm promise that “I will deliver them into thine hand”. They went for the third time and they were victorious. Two important lessons to go with today. We should learn to handle failure the way Israel did. Every setback saw them returning to the Lord for a word. The assurances they got was all they needed to try again. Finally, even though Israel lost two battles, they eventually won the war. Losing one or two battles is not the same as losing the war. With God on your side the final outcome will be favorable.

Beside this particular check point was an ensign RCC boldly written on a pavement. We had been flagged down by the policemen on duty for what should have been a routine check; but it turned out to be another opportunity to extort money. We introduced ourselves as church people. Immediately one of them replied that they actually had a church going on at that spot and we may as well give offering. He pointed to the RCC sign, and informed us that it stands for Roman Catholic Church! Well, I know enough that it was for Ronnier Construction Company. We laughed at his ludicrous interpretation of an innocuous sign and were left off the hook.

The danger of wrongfully interpreting the Bible is that it brings ruin to the soul…In order to have the correct meaning of what we read we must totally depend on the Holy Spirit by whom it was written in the first place.

That encounter reminds me of how some people interpret the Scriptures. They like to interpret God’s word in a way to suit them. People know how to explain responsibilities away and jump on the promises of God. This sort of approach will not deliver maximum benefit to the user. While referring to the writings of Paul, Apostle Peter said some things are difficult to be understood. These are being wrested by insincere souls. The danger of wrongfully interpreting the Bible is that it brings ruin to the soul. One thing to keep in mind as far as God’s word is concerned is stressed in our passage today; that is, it does not have private application. There is universality in God’s word both in interpretation and application. In order to have the correct meaning of what we read we must totally depend on the Holy Spirit by whom it was written in the first place.

Days rolled into weeks after David’s fling with Bathsheba. Then came the bombshell: “I am pregnant”, the woman sent to the king. The military man in David came alive immediately as he began to put strategy in place to cover it up. First was to invite Uriah to come from the warfront. It was planned to be a holiday for him and a sort of reunion with the family. The bait did not work. Then the king got him drunk before asking him to go home. Out of principle Uriah refused. In frustration the king’s next line of action was to eliminate him. That seemed to work at first. Now he could legally marry Bathsheba and be seen to be doing the widow a favour in the eye of all Israelites. It is quite curious that despite what David had done there was not a word from the Lord yet to reprimand him. That would come about a year later, after the baby had been born.

The moment you start judging others you have at the same time established parameters by which you will be judged. If you keep condemning others you cannot escape condemnation one way or the other.

Enter Nathan. He spoke a parable to paint the picture of a heinous crime that had been committed by a big man against a commoner. The sense of justice in David jacked back to life as he fired, “the man that hath done this thing shall surely die”. He did not stop there. He actually added in the next verse that he would make the man pay fourfold before he would be killed. You can only imagine what David would be reduced to when Nathan pointed the accusing finger at the king as the culprit. The point is this, if David knew that he was fixing his own sentence would he have gone for the maximum punishment in the book? Certainly not. This is what we do when we assume the judgment seat in other people’s matters. We condemn other people’s children; and when our own children are faulty we excuse them that they are just kids. It doesn’t work that way. The moment you start judging others you have at the same time established parameters by which you will be judged. If you keep condemning others you cannot escape condemnation one way or the other.

This verse of Scripture signposts what would spell chain of calamities and much sorrow for David in years to come. One evening, while his men were executing some military campaigns, he was walking the loft of his palace when he spotted a woman. Bathsheba was her name; a wife to one of his lieutenants. He engaged the woman sexually. The Bible did not register any line of protest or resistance from the woman. Did David, being a strong man, use military prowess to subdue this woman? Well, we cannot tell. But if this was the case the Bible would probably have told us that he forced her. How about executive fiat? Kings were so powerful in those days; known to be second only to the gods. Did he use his position to take advantage of this woman? Here too, we can never be too certain.

Many are just lonely and bored. If you belong to either of these categories you are vulnerable. Your safety valve is that you learn how to make a spiritual capital of your lonely and free moment.

But there is one line of thought we can probe. Bathsheba’s husband had been gone for only God knows how long. So we have a picture of a woman who was probably lonely. And here was David who seemed to be available, having all the free time in the world. So the encounter between these people was more like consensual than a forced one. Here is the point we are trying to make: Whenever the lonely meets the available an immediate chemistry is struck. It is not everyone who suffered moral lapse that did so for monetary purpose. Many are just lonely and bored. If you belong to either of these categories you are vulnerable. Your safety valve is that you learn how to make a spiritual capital of your lonely and free moment. Tell God to teach you how to make the most of your present circumstance in a manner that will advance your life and bring glory to God.

There are several strange stories in the Bible; and the fact that they are included at all is one proof of divine origin of the book. Human beings are known to doctor their biographies to say just enough to portray them in good light. How many people, for instance, will spill the beans of their sexual encounter with their daughter-in-law in their biographies? But that’s exactly what you read about Judah. Judah slept with Tamar, who had once been the wife of Er and Onan his first two sons respectively. In fairness to him he slept with her not aware of her true identity. The woman had feigned being a harlot, and Judah went into her.

Immorality eat deep to the root of our spiritual authority…But there is help in the Blood of Jesus not only to clean all past stain, but also to keep us from future blunders.

The big lesson today is to examine the cost of immorality. Before Tamar allowed Judah to sleep with her she negotiated a wage. Judah promised to send her a kid from the flock. The smart lady was not fully impressed with that promise; so she asked for a pledge or a surety pending the time the goat would be sent. The pledge is what our text is focused on today. Take a careful look at what Judah left with a “harlot” just for a fling. He gave her his signet, bracelets, and the staff! Well, if the bracelets were for decorative purposes, the signet and the staff were not. Being the head of not just a family but a tribe, those were the symbol of his authority. It is curious that this man literally abdicated his office to have an affair with a woman. He was totally stripped of everything precious to him. Isn’t the Bible correct when it says that by means of a whorish woman a man is reduced to a piece of bread?  The cost of immorality can hardly be captured in words. Before long you lose your dignity and sense of esteem. And if what we have seen of Judah is of any general application then immorality eat deep to the root of our spiritual authority. This is one plague ravaging the people of God today. But there is help in the Blood of Jesus not only to clean all past stain, but also to keep us from future blunders.

This is the second time we will be drawing lessons from this verse of Scripture in recent times. The first time we hinted on Obadiah’s incomplete theology as regards the operations of the Spirit. Today the focus is on the last remark about this man, the fact that he feared the Lord from his youth. The fear of the Lord can be described as a healthy fear. It is healthy because by it one can depart from all form of iniquity. That was the reason why Obadiah kept himself from the atrocities perpetuated in his workplace.

The fear of the Lord can be described as a healthy fear. It is healthy because by it one can depart from all form of iniquity…fear of failure can actually drive one to God to totally depend on Him for help…Whenever you are afraid, run to God. He will turn your fear to victory.

Is there any other way by which fear can be viewed as healthy? How about the fear of failure? There is a sense in which even fear of failure can be healthy, particularly if we don’t allow it to paralyze all activity and initiative. For one thing, the fear of failure can make one work harder and block all the likely avenues to failure. We have known people who were talked down on that they would never amount to anything good. The fear of making prophets out of their traducers made them go the extra mile. They are the better for it today because they have become captains in their various fields. On another note the fear of failure can actually drive one to God to totally depend on Him for help. Gideon in the Bible did not feel he had what it takes to succeed. He had fears; only he did not allow them to stop him from taking steps in the line of duty that God gave him. He depended on God and was helped. Whenever you are afraid, run to God. He will turn your fear to victory.

The Book of Ecclesiastes is as scientific as is practical. It is scientific because it began with an academic hunch, searching for meaning. And it is practical because it deals with life. Solomon wanted to know what human beings should devote their lives to. In other words he was searching for meaning and purpose in life. That was what led him to series of experiment, trying just about anything that drew his fancy. In the end he came out with a timeless conclusion which is what we have in our text today. The grand purpose of man here on earth is to fear God and keep His commandments. In other words until one begins to walk in the fear of God he has not even started living at all.

The grand purpose of man here on earth is to fear God and keep His commandments…until one begins to walk in the fear of God he has not even started living at all…Everyone that comes into the world is saddled with purpose…When it comes to the specific nature of your purpose, it is a heart thing.

Everyone that comes into the world is saddled with purpose. The general purpose is what we have just mentioned; that we need to fear God and walk in the light of His word. In addition to this, our general purpose as believers will mean doing the very works that Jesus did on earth. This is informed by the word from the mouth of the Master Himself. He said as the Father sent Him so as He sent us. So believers are to be a continuation of Jesus’ ministry. We are to be the extension of His purpose. Beyond this however, the purpose of God will come down to specifics for different individuals. The specific nature of people’s assignment may be informed not only by what God wants them to do but also with whom, where, and when. Pick two men from the Bible for example. Both Moses and Samson had ministry of deliverance; but the time of their engagement was different. In addition Moses delivered God’s people from the hand of the Egyptians; but Samson’s task was to take them from the hands of the Philistines. When it comes to the specific nature of your purpose, it is a heart thing. If you look deep within your heart long enough you will understand His specific mandate for your life.

Jesus told many parables to illustrate His teachings about the Kingdom of God. One of the outstanding ones was the parable of the wheat and the tares. In this a man sowed wheat in his field but it was soon intertwined with weeds. The servants of the farm owner wondered how the field was corrupted with tares; to which he responded, “An enemy hath done this“. We can use this parable in part to explain our text for today. Long before Jesus showed up on the earth the devil had been calling the shots in many lives. What the enemy had done in mankind is what Jesus, our Friend, came to undo.

We are no longer under obligation to serve sin with our members. By constantly yielding to the Spirit of God we can live clean, holy, and pleasing to God…When the devil know that you know he will flee from you.

In specific terms what are the works of the devil? The principal work is sin. Every other evil is nothing but a by product of the venom of sin. By His death on Calvary’s tree Jesus wrested power from sin. For those who put their faith in Him they can boldly assert, “Sin shall not have dominion over me”. We are no longer under obligation to serve sin with our members. By constantly yielding to the Spirit of God, we can live clean, holy, and pleasing to God. Beyond this, we are also free from the power of sickness. Don’t forget that our passage says Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Sickness did not originate from God; it is the creation of the devil. This also forms part of the works that was destroyed. Actually Jesus suffered battering to pay for our healing. It is now illegal for the devil to try you with sickness. We know he is called the lawless one; he will seek to transgress if allowed. Believers must learn to enforce the provisions in Redemption by the authority of Jesus’ name. When the devil know that you know he will flee from you.

Forgetfulness can constitute a grave danger to us in our relationship with God. The Bible passage for meditation today says the people of Israel soon forgot God’s work. It is important to contextualize this verse to be able to appreciate the point being stressed. If you read this chapter of the Bible from verse 8 you will find how God delivered the people from the hands of the Egyptians. And shortly after this He dried up the Red Sea for them to walk on dry ground. That exploit led to the people singing His praise as verse 12 indicates. Then in a swift twist we are told they soon forgot. Remember that it was shortly after they came out from the Red Sea that they were looking for water to drink in the wilderness. That led to a lot of complaints and murmurings. It was too early for a people who had witnessed such demonstration of the power of God to murmur. God could not put up with such attitude; He sent destroyers into their camp.

God does not change; He is the same yesterday, today, and forever…We may not know what tomorrow holds; but we know who holds tomorrow to be capable and faithful…strengthening our faith, is an antidote to murmur and worry.

Had Israel remembered all that God did before they would have had faith to believe Him for water and every other need. Too often we find ourselves in the same frame as Israel of old. We forget too quickly the various deliverances and provisions of God. And rather than live a life of gratitude and continuous trust we worry ourselves to sickness. The point is this: God does not change; He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Since He has been faithful in time past we can count on Him to be faithful still. We may not know what tomorrow holds; but we know who holds tomorrow to be capable and faithful. This is a blessed assurance that we have a safe future. Our daily task is to seek for something to celebrate God for. This, in addition to strengthening our faith, is an antidote to murmur and worry.