The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 14 October 2024 — The Threat Of The Enemy
TOPIC: The Threat Of The Enemy
READ: 1 Samuel 11:1-13 (NKJV)
- Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.”
- And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, “On this [condition] I will make [a covenant] with you, that I may put out all your right eyes, and bring reproach on all Israel.”
- Then the elders of Jabesh said to him, “Hold off for seven days, that we may send messengers to all the territory of Israel. And then, if [there is] no one to save us, we will come out to you.”
- So the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told the news in the hearing of the people. And all the people lifted up their voices and wept.
- Now there was Saul, coming behind the herd from the field; and Saul said, “What [troubles] the people, that they weep?” And they told him the words of the men of Jabesh.
- Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard this news, and his anger was greatly aroused.
- So he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent [them] throughout all the territory of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, “Whoever does not go out with Saul and Samuel to battle, so it shall be done to his oxen.” And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.
- When he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
- And they said to the messengers who came, “Thus you shall say to the men of Jabesh Gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by [the time] the sun is hot, you shall have help.’ ” Then the messengers came and reported [it] to the men of Jabesh, and they were glad.
- Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do with us whatever seems good to you.”
- So it was, on the next day, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and killed Ammonites until the heat of the day. And it happened that those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
- Then the people said to Samuel, “Who [is] he who said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.”
- But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has accomplished salvation in Israel.”
THE MESSAGE:
The world is full of conquest of weaker nations by the stronger ones. The so called super powers threaten and subdue the weaker ones, take over their economy and make them subject to them. Today’s passage illustrates this scenario very vividly, Nahash, King of the Ammonites, besieged Jabesh Gilead, and made a very cruel and unjust demand of them (verse 2). The elders of Jabesh Gilead knowing full well that their military force could not in any way match that of the Ammonites, were ready to accept that wicked and cruel condition, if help could not come from outside (verse 3). Thanks be to God, who immediately sent help through the hand of Saul, the newly elected king of Israel (verse 6). The Ammonites were fatally defeated (verse 11).
Today, the enemy similarly besieges men with life-threatening diseases, protracted failures in business and education, childlessness, poverty, unemployment as well as family troubles. He makes men believe that freedom from such conditions will come when they serve him. Are you being threatened by an enemy or condition that is ‘stronger’ than you? God has prepared a ‘Saul’ whom He will fill with His Spirit to help you if you seek Him with faith. Seek help from the Lord God Almighty today and He will give you victory.
PRAYER: Father, please deliver me and our nation from all those who are stronger than us in Jesus’ name, Amen.
PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY’S DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL
DATE: MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2024
TOPIC: THE THREAT OF THE ENEMY
- 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
- Father, deliver our nation from those stronger than us, in Jesus’ name
- Father, please, deliver me and my family from every threat of the enemies, in Jesus’ name.
- LORD, please, deliver our economy from those eating fat on it at the expense of the poor masses, in Jesus’ name.
- Father Lord, please, send help to us through the hand of Your chosen vessels, in Jesus’ name.
- LORD, give me victory over those threatening my life, 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.
