The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 17 October 2024 | War For Independence
TOPIC: Disobedience Destroys Destinies
READ: 1 Samuel 13:5-25 (NKJV)
5 And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.
6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.
7 And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
8 And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering.
10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
11 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;
12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.
13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.
15 And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men.
16 And Saul, and Jonathan his son, and the people that were present with them, abode in Gibeah of Benjamin: but the Philistines encamped in Michmash.
17 And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned unto the way that leadeth to Ophrah, unto the land of Shual:
18 And another company turned the way to Bethhoron: and another company turned to the way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.
19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears:
20 But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.
21 Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.
22 So it came to pass in the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan: but with Saul and with Jonathan his son was there found.
23 And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.
THE MESSAGE:
When Samuel anointed Saul, he ordered him to wait for him for seven days in Gilgal (1 Samuel 10. But in spite of this clear instruction and out of pressure, Saul disobeyed and went ahead to offer sacrifices. This behaviour of Saul cost him and his generation the kingship in Israel. Instead of being repentant when confronted by Samuel, he tried to justify his unacceptable behaviour. Samuel promptly informed him that his disobedience has cost him the kingship and he abandoned Saul and left for his home. No reason is acceptable before God for disobeying His will as expressed in His word. Saul’s disobedience interrupted his destiny.
Have you allowed disobedience to ruin your destiny? Many people today treat the cross of Christ and His word with total disdain (Philippians 3: 18). The level of disobedience to the word God to the Church is alarming and the contempt shown to the Church and ministers of God is disturbing. Some people disobey godly rules as regards marriage, business, relationships, dressing, examination and simple traffic rules. Are you living in disobedience to your parents, husband, teachers, pastors, bosses and those in authority? Are you obstinate, giving irrelevant reasons to justify your disobedience when confronted? Repent now before you truncate your God-given destiny.
PRAYER: Lord, may Your fear be restored in Your Church in every nation in Jesus’ name, Amen.
PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY’S DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
DATE: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024
TOPIC: DISOBEDIENCE DESTROYS DESTINIES
Father in the name of Jesus, thank You for the grace to see this new day in good health and sound mind.
Father, thank You for the special gift of life, many wished to see this day, but they couldn’t.
Thank You Jesus for being there for us, Your children.
Thank You Lord for Your plans for me this month and this year. They are plans of good, not of evil, to give me a successful and good end.
Father, please forgive me all my known and unknown sins, and give me power to overcome sin and its lustful desires, in Jesus’ name
Help me, Holy Spirit, not to go against God’s will, in Jesus’ name
I receive grace to obey and keep all God’s instructions, in Jesus’ name.
LORD, help me to keep all Your laws as they are clearly written in the Scripture, in Jesus’ name.
Holy Spirit, help me to obey those in positions of authority in accordance to God’s will, in Jesus’ name.
I receive grace not to truncate my God-given destiny through a simple act of disobedience, in Jesus’ name
LORD, help us to get it right in Nigeria, and let Your perfect will be enforced on us in Jesus’ name.
Heavenly Father, let Your peace reign in this country,
Whether the devil likes it or not, I will make heaven and receive my eternal rewards in Jesus’ Name.
This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Personal and family prayer requests.
Confession: God bless the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), God bless the Universal Church, and bless our country Nigeria -1 Chronicles 17:27.
Thank You Lord for answered prayers, in Jesus’ Mighty Name we pray. Amen.
Chiokike Notice Board: Your journey to true peace and eternal victory begins with accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Without being born again, the fullness of God’s presence and blessings remain just out of reach. If you're ready to embrace this life-changing decision, please say the prayer below:
Prayer of Salvation:
Lord Jesus, I come before You today, acknowledging my need for Your grace. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Savior, believing in my heart that You died for my sins and rose again to give me eternal life. Thank You, Lord, for saving me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
If you’ve prayed this prayer, we rejoice with you! Please share your testimony and prayer requests with us at contact@chiokike.com. We are here to support you as you grow in your faith. May God’s love and grace fill your heart abundantly!