The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 28 January 2024 – The Key To Standing Firm
TOPIC: The Key To Standing Firm
READ: Psalm 34:11-18 (NKJV)
- Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
- Who [is] the man [who] desires life, And loves [many] days, that he may see good?
- Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.
- Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
- The eyes of the LORD [are] on the righteous, And His ears [are open] to their cry.
- The face of the LORD [is] against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
- [The righteous] cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.
- The LORD [is] near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
THE MESSAGE:
We face troubles and threats in life daily. However, even in such situations, we can stand and still live long. David in his days of trouble, learnt the secrets of deliverance from fears and troubles and shares them with us here. He desires that people come to know and enjoy the service of God, which produces a long and happy life and deliverance. This will enable us to stand firm in our faith and not grow weary. The first of these secrets is a departure from evil – to fear God (verses 12-14). The second is to always remember that God loves and is near those who completely put their trust in Him (verse 15). Finally, we need to know that the wicked shall not prosper (verses16-18).
Do you want to stand? Do you want your faith to be strong? Then be ready to depart from evil and wickedness. Remember, anyone who rejects Christ is an enemy of God and is wicked! Such shall not stand or prosper. Regardless of your good works, tithes, or faithfulness, as long as you keep living in sin, you will one day hear, ‘Depart from me, I never knew you!’ Therefore, forsake and shun evil and pursue what is right. The fear of the Lord remains the key to deliverance, the key to joy in life, as well as long and happy days.
PRAYER: Lord, teach me to shun evil and stand firmly in You, Amen.
