Thursday, 5th December, 2024
Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 11: 1-27
Memory Verse: For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption. Acts 13:36 (NKJV)
Yesterday we said, in 2 Samuel 11. David made a mistake which gave birth to several others. The mistake was that he was relaxing at a time when kings typically went to war. He then saw what he wouldn’t ordinarily have seen – Bathsheba, a beautiful lady taking her bath. One thing led to another (sin usually gives birth to a corresponding chain of reactions), he slept with her; killed Uriah, her husband and consequently, God cursed his lineage. Notice that everything started when he left his duty post. Everything started when he took a break off duty. Everything started when he was a bit tired of fighting Israel’s enemies. Everything started when he despised his purpose.
Are you aware that you are most spiritually vibrant when you are serving the purposes of God for your life? Do you notice that in seasons when you are using your gifts and talents for the Lord, you hardly fall into sin? Have you noticed that on days when you are filled with the Spirit of God, having had a good Quiet time, your ability to resist numerous temptation, which hitherto gets at you is greatly increased? Such is the power of serving God’s purpose for your life. A life of worship! You worship God by dwelling in His presence, and serving His purpose. Really, this is the whole duty of man!
Had David gone to war, he surely wouldn’t have seen a lady bathing at such a time. If David had not become a complacent soldier, who left his duty post, he could have saved his children’s children from a generational curse. Beloved, your purpose is your surest security. Pursuing your purpose DAILY is your surest antidote to sin, satanic intrusion and satanic oppression. The devil does not go on Sabbatical leave.
He’s a relentless fighter. He knows he is doomed to live in everlasting torment, and he has vowed to take as many people along. Will you give the devil a chance to make a mockery of God in your life? Stay DAILY at your duty post. It is not what we do occasionally that scares the devil, it was what we do DAILY that scares and weary him.
Brethren, have you discovered your purpose? God trained the fingers of David to fight and his hands to do battle for the deliverance of Israel. Just one day in complacency, one day of unsanctioned “annual leave,” one day of unpermitted “rest,” left his generation in pain. There are days a little slumber may lay your destiny to rest. Imagine if God was resting outside the Sabbath when he was creating the world in Genesis 1, perhaps the entire creation wouldn’t have revealed His perfect glory. Your destiny shall not be laid to rest because of an avoidable mistake, in Jesus name.
Quote: A daily commitment to your purpose is your surest security.
Prophetic Decree: Any satanic agitation to sift you as wind, and provoke God to curse you shall not stand, in Jesus name
Prayer Focus
1. Thank you Father for a message of caution and provocation.
2. My destiny shall not be laid to rest as a result of lack of discipline, in Jesus name.
3. I receive the daily mercies of God needed for the fulfilment of life and purpose, in Jesus name.
4. Holy Spirit, compel me by your mercies to be at my duty post daily, in Jesus name.
5. Demonic manipulation pushing me away from my destiny station, scatter by fire, in Jesus name.
6. Sing the hymn: “It pays to serve Jesus I speak from my heart”.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Corinthians 5-9
HYMN: IT PAYS TO SERVE JESUS
1. It pays to serve Jesus, I speak from my heart;
He’ll always be with us, if we do our part;
There’s naught in this wide world can pleasure afford,
There’s peace and contentment in serving the Lord.
Refrain:
I love Him far better than in days of yore,
I’ll serve Him more truly than ever before;
I’ll do as He bids me, whatever the cost,
I’ll be a true soldier — I’ll die at my post.
2. And oft when I’m tempted to turn from the track,
I think of my Savior — my mind wanders back
To the place where they nailed Him on Calvary’s tree—
I hear a voice saying, I suffered for thee.
[Refrain]
3. There’s a place that remembrance still brings back to me,
’Twas there I found pardon — ’twas Heaven to me;
There Jesus spoke sweetly to my weary soul,
My sins were forgiven, He made my heart whole.
[Refrain]
4. How rich is the blessing the world cannot give,
I’m satisfied fully for Jesus to live;
Tho’ friends may forsake me, and trials arise,
I’m trusting in Jesus, His love never dies.
[Refrain]