Reward Of the Faithful TEXT: 2 SAMUEL 2:1-7

Key verse: “So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelites, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite. And his men that were with him did David bring up, in every man with his household and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron”

(2 Samuel 2:2,3).

David, after bitter trials and anguish occasioned by King Saul’s hatred and hostility against him, now arrived at a very important point in the history of his life. In our text, David receives divine authorization to go to Hebron where he was later anointed King over the tribe of Judah, an event that seemed to foretell his coming reign over the whole land of Israel.
    David in exile settled in the cities of Hebron, a land well-watered and renowned for its exquisite green pastures, vines, grains, honey and fruits. It was one of the choicest regions of Canaan. “Eyes hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. ( 2 Corinthians 2:9).
    David also never forgot to commend the kindness of the people of Jabesh-Gilead in giving the body of the slain king Saul a proper burial. David’s sense of appreciation is exemplary and his reward-giving disposition should excite our hope in the promise of eternal reward which Christ has left for those who serve Him faithfully to the end.
    No doubt, there are trials, temptations, rejection, persecution and pains that come with living our lives for Christ. Yet, it behooves us to despise shame and pains in this life and serve the LORD Jesus Christ who was rejected and DESPISED by Kings and rulers of the world. When He returns as King of kings and Lord of Lords, He will richly reward us for all we have done for Him, as He promised. “Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father halt appointed unto me” (Luke 22:28, 29).

Thought for the day: He triumphs valiantly who endures till the end.

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LEARNING WISDOM

“And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds” 

 (Acts 7: 22)

The first day at school is usually an exciting experience for any child. In spite of the demanding and challenging nature of academic pursuit, every caring parent, however, wants his children to go to school. The best legacy any parent can give his ward is education. Education remains as the best investment of the parents in the lives of their children. Youngsters, who are conscious of this fact, make the best use of the opportunity to learn.

            It is a privilege for you to be a student. You have a duty to maximize this opportunity. You must make sure that you come out of your present college with a result worth talking about. That is the best way to appreciate your parents and justify the huge investment in your education. College education, among other things, is to help you to lay a solid foundation for your future. It is when you achieve your goals for success that you have a good base for your future development and prosperity. You will achieve your goals by faith in God and by believing in yourself that you can do it.

Challenge:       Education is the pathway to a better future.

Prayer:             Dear Father, make me to be diligent in my study.

Further reading: Exodus 2:5-10

Quote: Education is the best investment for the family.

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Sincere Faith

Key verse: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Adoniran Judson, an American missionary, was jailed in Burma because of his stand for Christ. His ankles were chained, while his feet were bound to a bamboo pole. Yet, he was not perturbed. His conviction about Christ gave him a fulfilled and utmost joy to suffer for righteousness. A fellow prisoner, with a sneer, however, asked: “Dr. Judson, what about the prospect of the conversion of the heathen?” With undisturbed inner peace and delight, Judson replied: “The prospects are just as bright as the promises of God.” 

This aptly explains Paul’s situation, who, at the time he wrote this second letter to Timothy, was already in prison, awaiting conviction. Yet, he never bemoaned his circumstances. For some people, it could be a litany of complaints about their predicament. They might even say: “Look at my life. I have served the Lord all my life, but see where I have found myself now, only waiting to die unjustly at the hands of pagans and God could not do anything.” 

That was not for Paul. Rather, he profoundly regaled his apostleship, noting that it was by the will of God. Some people have the promise of death, which is of Satan, who came to steal, to kill and to destroy. For such people, Satan is at the driver’s seat in their lives. 

For Paul, God is the centrality of his existence. That was why, in spite of his challenges, he could still pray for Timothy, commending his godly virtues. Paul appreciated Timothy’s sincere and heart-felt conviction about Christ. Rather than bewail his own dilemma, which could make some people get discouraged in following Christ, Paul enjoined Timothy to “stir up the gift of God” in him.

How do you handle the challenges of life? Is your relationship with God self-serving or Christ-honouring? Are you a source of succour to brethren with daunting challenges? Ponder on these things and endeavour to become a channel of blessing to all. 

Thought for today: The only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials.

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God Of Comfort

Key verse: “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort”

(2 Corinthians 1:3).

Lehman Strauss, a notable preacher of the gospel, was in sharp pain when his wife, Elsie, had a stroke. They had married for fifty-one years. Three months after Elsie was afflicted, her brain and body could not function normally. The stroke left her with brain impairment and paralysis on the left side of her body. She also had impaired vision, change in the pitch of her voice and excessive fatigue, among other side effects. In spite of the affliction and adversity, God comforted him and his wife. 

While recalling this experience, Lehman said: “I knew that we were facing the severest trial in our fifty-one years of marriage. For 45 of those years, I had been preaching and teaching the Word of God. Never doubted the truths I was called to declare, but I must confess that I had never experienced much of what I preached and taught. There are things that we can learn only through suffering. 

Paul, from our text, spoke about God of all comfort. Obviously, he was speaking out of his knowledge of God. He had passed through terrible challenges of life. He had suffered severe tribulation in Asia that he even despaired of his life. God’s comfort did not only help him to endure his trials, but it also made him to receive special blessings. So, Paul’s knowledge of God was explicitly rewarding.

A believer, who has one affliction or the other, needs God’s comfort, which is unique, infinite, inexhaustible, immutable and indestructible. Our afflictions are only temporary and transient, but God’s comfort is everlasting. Our trials, however slight or severe, will always receive God’s attention because He is the Father of mercies. It is God’s mercy that provides our salvation through Christ. It is also God’s mercy that gives us healing and deliverance. 

Are you afflicted? Are you passing through adversity? Please come to Jesus the “Author and finisher of our faith” for succor and comfort. 

Thought for today: When you cannot stand, God will bear you in His arms.m

By Pastor W.F Kumuyi

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Best Morning Wishes...........Is For You

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.    Psalm 143:8

Father, I thank You for waking me up this morning. I am grateful for taking care of me through the night. Blessed be Your holy name. As I wake up this morning Lord, I pray You cause and make me to hear Your loving-kindness this morning. I live in a world of sin, a world filled with noises of hatred, violence and evil. But in the midst of this terrible situation Lord, cause me, make me, help me to hear what You alone are saying.

            I can hear some noises around me already. More will still come. None of these will bless me like Your love. Your voice calms my fears and takes away my pain. That’s why I want to hear You talk and speak to me. I trust in You Lord, so speak to me today in Jesus name.

            And please Lord, cause me to know the way I should walk today. Direct my life, my ways and my walk. I am prone to making mistakes so please cause me to walk in a way that will please You. Like David the Psalmist, I am surrounded by many angry people like Saul who do not want my progress and success. Please guide me and direct my actions today so that I will do only the things that pleases You alone. I am sure that if You guide and direct me today, no enemy will take advantage of me. And best of all, I would have spent this day doing things that honour You and make You happy. Dear Father, cause me to hear Thy loving-kindness in the morning and please cause me to know the way I should walk in Jesus name.

Wise Word: Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Prayer: Make me to wait on You and look up to You for instructions in all that I do today in Jesus name.

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