Your Refreshing Daily Devotional

It would appear that God deals with us based on knowledge or the light that we have over any issue. There are two ways to demonstrate this, one from each of the testaments. When Uzzah touched the ark of God, he was killed instantly. The ark was hurriedly abandoned in the house of Obed-Edom and he was not slain even though there are chances that he touched the ark while in his custody.

Who was Obed-Edom? We understand that he was a Gittite. For the record, a Gittite was an inhabitant of Gath, one of the chief Philistine cities. Obed-Edom probably was one of the Philistines who had emigrated to Judah. Why was Uzzah killed and Obed-Edom spared? Uzzah was a native Israelite who ought to know the protocol of God concerning the ark. A stranger to the ways of the God of Israel was not put under the same demand as those who knew Him well enough.

A stranger to the ways of the God of Israel was not put under the same demand as those who knew Him well enough …to whom much is given, much is expected.

A New Testament parallel to this would be the case of Mary and Zechariah. Mary questioned the angel about his word to her. She wondered how she would be able to give birth without knowing a man. The angel did not smite her, but only explained that the Holy Spirit would see to it. The same angel smote Zechariah with dumbness when he questioned how realistic it was for Elizabeth to give birth to a son when they were both old. He must have been smitten because, as a priest, he ought to have known better that there was nothing impossible with God. Moreover, it was the thing he had prayed to get for a long time. The summary of this is that to whom much is given, much is expected.

Samuel Paty was a 47-year-old French History and Geography teacher who was brutally beheaded by a jihadist on October 16, 2020. The attack was a result of a fierce online smear campaign started by a 13-year-old Muslim student. She claimed that the teacher had, during the class on free speech, asked all Muslim students to leave the classroom to enable him show controversial caricatures of the Prophet Muhammed. She invented the story to provide an alibi for her suspension the previous day due to absences. It was not until 2024 during police investigation that she confessed that all was a ruse and apologized to Samuel Paty’s family for destroying their lives.

Invariably, behind every conflict is some measure of deceit… The only way to escape the lie of the devil and the tragic consequences it brings is to be grounded in the truth which is encapsulated in the word of God. 

In our text, Jesus described Satan not just as a liar but the father of it. It should be no stress to admit that all who are his will make lies their stock in trade. The Bible speaks of a thousand years of uninterrupted peace on earth. Coincidentally, it is during that same period that Satan will be bound and unable to deceive people. Invariably, behind every conflict is some measure of deceit. If a family is in disarray, one or more members are subscribing to lies of the devil. That the devil is going about to cause havoc is an open secret. What many people have not come to terms with is how he is executing his war with so much effectiveness. Apostle Peter portrays him as a lion seeking who he might devour (1 Peter 5:8). Knowing his modus operandi is critical for our escape. The principal way by which the devil preys on people is deception. He goes about lying to people. The only way to escape the lie of the devil and the tragic consequences it brings is to be grounded in the truth which is encapsulated in the word of God.

Peter Munyasya speaks to the root of our world’s problem when he said, “We are stuck where we are now because we live in a materialistic world where all attention is only given to men with deep pockets while we ignore men with deep thoughts.” Being heard and seen are basically tied to having deep pockets, and this has led to insatiable quest for money. The spiraling evil we see today is fueled by the love of money. No time is the word of Jesus more needed than now: “And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Luke 12:15 NKJV

The spiraling evil we see today is fueled by the love of money…Physical riches are good, if obtained in the way of righteousness. Even at that, physical riches do not compare to being rich towards God.

On the surface, it would seem as if Jesus condemned abundance in all ramifications. Not at all, His warning was against covetousness. The parable following the warning also helps to put things in perspective. He told of a man whose ground produced abundantly and decided to greedily hoard everything for his use alone. Then his soul was taken from him that same day. He drew the parallel to that as the lot of those who are not rich towards God. Physical riches are good, if obtained in the way of righteousness. Even at that, physical riches do not compare to being rich towards God. It is those who are rich towards God that will inherit the earth. Not the earth as presently constituted, but the new one that shall descend from heaven. Its length, breadth and height are all equal. That speaks of perfection! That ought to be the ultimate longing of all.

Our team had ministers’ conference cum restoration seminar at Akinima, Rivers State, Nigeria sometime in July this year. Before the flag off of the meeting, it was suggested that we should pay a courtesy call on the paramount ruler. On our way, I asked for guidance as to the proper conduct in the palace as custom may demand. That was born out of an experience I had in the palace of a traditional ruler in Mubi, Adamawa State some years ago. Palace etiquette at that place demanded that we remain seated and clap our hands when the king approached.

Purity of heart or motive is one of the conditions to stand before God…Coming to God behooves you to know that He exists and that He can hear and reward those who serve Him.

Now, if earthly kings have ways of approaching them, it should not be considered strange if the King of kings also has guidelines for those who must come to Him.  Thanksgiving is a requirement. “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” Psalms 100:4 NKJV. By this, murmurers have effectively cut themselves off from God’s presence. Next is purity of motive. Psalm 24:3-4 states: “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.” Purity of heart or motive is one of the conditions to stand before God. Finally, faith is required to walk with God or obtain from Him. Our text lays it bare. Coming to God behooves you to know that He exists and that He can hear and reward those who serve Him.

When you hear people say, “Your attitude will determine your altitude”, it is not just a rhyme.  Attitude has been linked to the past, present, and future. Speaking on attitude, John Maxwell said, “It is the librarian of our past. It is the speaker of our present. It is the prophet of our future.” Too frequently, people scout around for someone who would give them a prophecy or speak into their future. As good as that seems, nothing prophesied on you will make any significant difference with a poor attitude. From a person’s attitude you can fairly predict their future. Great, positive attitude will lead to great future; a negative one will ruin the best of chances.

…nothing prophesied on you will make any significant difference with a poor attitude…Great, positive attitude will lead to great future; a negative one will ruin the best of chances…We all need an open heart so that the Spirit of God can show us where we need attitude change.

An important lesson about attitude is that it never stays static. It can be poor, fair, good, or great. The good thing, however, is that wherever we might be today on attitude scale, we can choose to work on it. The latter end of Joseph is usually painted in glowing words. However, he had to undergo a restructuring in his attitude. You can hear a note of pride when he declared his dreams to his brothers and fathers. He seemed quite enthused with the idea of his brothers, father, and mother bowing to his sheaves and stars. The hunt that his brothers launch after him may not be unconnected to his cockiness. After years of process under God, it was a different Joseph who stood before Pharaoh. He clearly said that the answer that Pharaoh was looking for was not in him, praying that God would give the king an answer of peace. By the time he became a ruler, he had imbibed the attitude of humility. We all need an open heart so that the Spirit of God can show us where we need attitude change.

The parable in Judges Chapter 9 is a classic lesson on purpose. It is designed to teach us how to jealously focus on our calling and avoid all distractions no matter how well packaged. The setting of the parable showed how the trees went on a mission to anoint a king over them. Their first port of call was first the Olive, but it refused because it found satisfaction in its product being used in honour of God and man. Next to be approached was the fig which was also jealous of its sweetness and would not want to abandon that. The invitation was then given to the vine. On its part, the vine spoke of its wine that brings cheer to God and man and subsequently turned down the offer.

…not all opportunities should be accepted, and not all open doors are to be explored. When an opportunity presents itself, assess it in the light of what God has purposed for you…Distracted people don’t accomplish much.

The first thing to take to heart is that not all that glitters is gold. On the surface, the invitation given to these trees was an opportunity. Who would not want to be a king with all the attendant honour! However, these trees realized that becoming king would take them away from the core of what God created them to do. To accede to the request would mean moving from significance to irrelevance; therefore, they rejected the offer immediately. The moral of this parable is that not all opportunities should be accepted, and not all open doors are to be explored. When an opportunity presents itself, assess it in the light of what God has purposed for you. What has God called you to do? Will that opening enhance your essence and calling or stand as an obstacle? Go only for the openings that will add up one way or another in the overall plan of God for your life. Distracted people don’t accomplish much.