October 4, 2020 CAC Living Water Devotional :- BEWARE OF GOD’S TRAP
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LIVING WATER CAC DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Sunday, October 4, 2020 – World Animal Day
BEWARE OF GOD’S TRAP
Read: Jeremiah 50:17-24
“Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. The first to devour them was the king of Assyria; the last to crush their bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.”
Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “I will punish the king of Babylon and his land as I punished the king of Assyria.
But I will bring Israel back to their own pasture, and they will graze on Carmel and Bashan; their appetite will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead.
In those days, at that time,” declares the Lord, “search will be made for Israel’s guilt, but there will be none, and for the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive the remnant I spare.
“Attack the land of Merathaim and those who live in Pekod. Pursue, kill and completely destroy them,” declares the Lord. “Do everything I have commanded you.
The noise of battle is in the land, the noise of great destruction!
How broken and shattered is the hammer of the whole earth! How desolate is Babylon among the nations!
I set a trap for you, Babylon, and you were caught before you knew it; you were found and captured because you opposed the Lord.
MEMORISE:
I set a trap for you, Babylon, and you were caught before you knew it; you were found and captured because you opposed the Lord. (Jeremiah 50:24)
EXPOSITION
On this occasion of this year’s World Animal Day, it is not out of place to discuss what has to do with trap. Most animals are familiar by experience with traps, which are mostly set by humans (hunters). A “trap” is defined as “… a snare; an ambush; a stratagem; any device by which one may be caught unawares.” This device, in its varied forms, we had used in our days as “village boys” to catch farm animals such as squirrels, rabbits, etc. Domestic troublers such as rats, etc are our targets. Obviously, the main reason for which this device was invented and used is to catch something “unawares.”
Babylon was a culmination if Babel, which means “confusion,” contrary to the meaning given to it as “the gate of the god.” Right from its genesis, from the book of Genesis to the time of King Nebuchadnezzar, it had attracted God’s attention plus contention. Rebellion, evil cults, illegal dealing, and trafficking, etc., were the trademark of this great city. The raiding and robbing if God’s holy temple at Jerusalem plus the holding hostage, mistreatment and dispersion of the Israelites became the breaking point of God’s tolerance for her impurity and gross defiance of the Almighty. This lead God to prepare a trap whereby she was taken (v. 24).
We cannot strive with our Maker and prosper (Isa. 45:9). God takes the wise by their craftiness. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, was taken by My bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back (Isa. 37:29). So also was the king, Zedekiah, who was taken by God’s net and snare (Ezk. 12:13).
We must beware of God’s trap! None can be stronger than He. This is the time to repent of your sins (Heb. 10:26-30; 12:29), and follow His counsel CAC GHB 199
PRAYER POINTS
1. Save me from self, my Lord and God, before it us too late, in Jesus name.
2. I repent of my pride, now, and all evil imaginations against You, my Father in heaven, in Jesus name.
3. Let the earth hear Your voice again, Lord God, and let the pound at heart heed Your warning before it is too late, in Jesus name.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Isaiah 3-6