August 19, 2020 CAC Living Water Devotional :- THE LORD CARES
Read previous CAC Living Water Devotionals here
CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER {July ~ Dec., 2020}
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
– World Humanitarian Day
TOPIC: THE LORD CARES
Read Jeremiah 26:1-12 [1]In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the LORD, saying,[2]Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:[3]If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.[4]And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you,[5]To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;[6]Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.[7]So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD.[8]Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die.[9]Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
[10]When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king’s house unto the house of the LORD, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the LORD’S house.[11]Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.[12]Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.
MEMORISE: If you will still remain in this land, then I will build you and not pull you down, and I will plant you and not pluck you up. For I relent concerning the disaster that I have brought upon you (Jeremiah 42:10)
EXPOSITION
The Lord cares deeply for all that He created, especially, the mankind formed in His own likeness (Gen. 1:26). He is the Saviour who desires all persons to be delivered and saved, as they come to the true knowledge of Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:4). This is because He takes no pleasure in the death of the sinner, but delights in their repentance (Ezk. 18:32).
The timely obedience and repentance of the Ninevites to God’s warning shed light on His concerns for mankind. The good Lord who would not condone iniquity would have destroyed them, because of their evil deeds. However, God doesn’t punish without first issuing warnings, just like He did to the Israelites before He judged them. To the Ninevites, God sent Prophet Jonah to warn them of the impending doom due to their wickedness (Jon. 1:1-2). There is no doubt; the Word of God through Jonah is true. Judgment would have been inevitable but for the fact that they responded positively with great humility, by declaring fasting and prayer for repentance. The loving and caring Lord relented from the calamity He earlier declared on them (Jon. 3:5-10).
God does not intend to condemn, or destroy the wicked, but to lead them to repentance and salvation (Jn. 3:16). Although, sinners like the Ninevites, deserve judgment and would have it, God’s purpose for sending His messenger was not just to announce the impending doom, but to give the people the opportunity to heed to the warning and escape being destroyed, to enjoy His love and care.
God is forever rich in kindness, bearing, and patient (Rom. 2:4). Only His kindness and care lead the sinners to repentance, which always brings great joy to His kingdom (Lk. 15:7-10). On this World Humanitarian Day, let us emulate and show to the world the caring attitude of Christ. Let us make it known that He still loves and cares for even the worst of sinners, just that He wants everyone to repent and be saved.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Appreciate God for His unending love and care for humanity.
2. Ask God for His grace never to do anything to undermine this love of His in any way.
3. Pray that God should give His Church in the land the grace, understanding, and readiness to make His love known to the aching world.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Psalms 48 – 51; Revelation 12 -13
Author: C.A.C WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!