Sunday, 17^th December 2023

Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 4: 1-12

Memory Verse:  Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? Proverbs 20:6 (NLT)

To be loyal is to show or give a strong feeling of support or allegiance. Be careful of people who try to prove their loyalty to you on your way to power, or now that you are in power. Loyalty shouldn’t be a one-time off thing, rather there must be a proven track record. On your way to glory, on your way to ascension, trust me, there are many who will do anything to gain your favour or goodwill. They will go any length to obtain your favour.  Such is the generation of the sons of Rimmon in our Bible Reading.

As soon as Abner was dead, they needed to pitch tent politically. To them, the best way to show their unflinching loyalty to David is to kill the potential heir to the throne of Saul in the person of a lame boy called Ishbosheth. Indeed, an evil spirit can run in a particular lineage. Two men from the same family of Rimmon killed Ishbosheth! How can you kill an innocent disabled child because you want to gain the interest of an imminent political leader.

This type of dirty politics is still being played in today’s world. Such are wicked men. You see, some people just love to flock around the corridors of power. They have gotten used to the dainties of power. Ask governors and those who hold public offices how people flock their houses on the ground of alleged loyalty, and few weeks after they leave office, they are nowhere to be found. We really need to be discerning.

As the year rounds off, by the spirit of God, please sieve your friends. Tell God to show you the spirit behind those who flock around you. Be wary of sycophants who display false loyalty and keep cheering you to take up what God has already commanded yours without following correct process.  Don’t allow the devil use people (even so-called spiritual people) to betray your loyalty to God. You will not die an untimely death, in Jesus name.

Quote:  There is no loyalty in the heart of a traitor, only the false act of appearing trustworthy – J. Apolinaris

Prophetic Decree:  May the Lord deliver you from wolves in sheep clothes, in Jesus name. 

Prayer Focus

1. I receive wisdom to discern the true intentions in the heart of men, in Jesus name.

2. O Lord, please deliver me from traitors who come in the name of friends, in Jesus name.

3. Like Jesus, help me Holy Spirit to know those I am to commit myself unto, in Jesus name.

4. Holy Spirit, the revealer of secrets, please show me the hearts of men, in Jesus name.

5. Let the fire of the Holy Spirit consume the veil masking the intentions of the people around me, in Jesus name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Philippians 1-4