DCLM Daily Manna 8 May 2023 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Perilous Path
TOPIC: Perilous Path (DCLM Daily Manna 8 May 2023)
KEY VERSE: “An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him” (Proverbs 17:11).
TEXT: Proverbs 17:1-14 (KJV)
1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.
3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.
4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
MESSAGE:
Jim Jones was an American cult leader with a vision of what was described as an “integrated congregation”. He founded the Peoples Temple, a quasi-Christian commune in Jonestown, Guyana, where he often told his followers that they would all die and live happily together hereafter. In November 1978, fearing government attack on the settlement after its members had killed an American congressman, Jones ordered a mass murder-suicide. 909 died, including 304 children. Jones shot himself dead.
Jim Jones was such an evil man, “who seeketh only rebellion” and the “cruel messenger” of death was sent to him. We have the list of such men in our reading today: those who mock the poor, the wicked liar given to pride, unforgiving friends, fools, companions of those who reject wisdom, as well as contentious people. They are contrasted with the godly who are quiet and meek servants, disciples enriched with “excellent speech”, who have acknowledged and forsaken their sins.
The book of Proverbs is given to us to learn how to order our ways, not according to what pleases us but as it pleases the Creator. Jim Jones’ path seemed perfect to him; but it was perilous, plunging him and several hundreds to untimely deaths and eternal perdition.
In the age closer than ever to the return of Jesus Christ, there will be intense teaching of false religion intended to deceive the credulous. Only the inerrant word of God can subdue them, guide and steer a person away from evil and destructive doctrines. Heaven-seeking believers must put in every effort to check the surge of fake religionists and prophets.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The only antidote to falsehood is Scripture rightly applied and widely proclaimed.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Judges 18-21
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.