CAC Living Water Daily Devotional For August 1, 2024 : Topic – KEEP PURSUING
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CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2024)
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
DATE: Thursday, August 1, 2024
TOPIC: KEEP PURSUING
MEMORISE : When Gideon came to the Jordan, he and the three hundred men who were with him crossed over, exhausted but still in pursuit (Judges 8:6)
READ : Judges 8: 1-18
[1]. Now the men of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you done this to us by not calling us when you went to fight with the Midianites?” And they reprimanded him sharply.
[2]. So he said to them, “What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?
[3]. God has delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. And what was I able to do in comparison with you?” Then their anger toward him subsided when he said that.
[4]. When Gideon came to the Jordan, he and the three hundred men who were with him crossed over, exhausted but still in pursuit.
[5]. Then he said to the men of Succoth, “Please give loaves of bread to the people who follow me, for they are exhausted, and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.”
[6]. And the leaders of Succoth said, “Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your army?”
[7]. So Gideon said, “For this cause, when the Lord has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers!”
[8]. Then he went up from there to Penuel and spoke to them in the same way. And the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered.
[9]. So he also spoke to the men of Penuel, saying, “When I come back in peace, I will tear down this tower!”
[10]. Now Zebah and Zalmunna were at Karkor, and their armies with them, about fifteen thousand, all who were left of all the army of the people of the East; for one hundred and twenty thousand men who drew the sword had fallen.
[11]. Then Gideon went up by the road of those who dwell in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah; and he attacked the army while the camp felt secure.
[12]. When Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued them; and he took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and routed the whole army.
[13]. Then Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle, from the Ascent of Heres.
[14]. And he caught a young man of the men of Succoth and interrogated him; and he wrote down for him the leaders of Succoth and its elders, seventy-seven men.
[15]. Then he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Here are Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you ridiculed me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your weary men?’”
[16]. And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.
[17]. Then he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.
[18]. And he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?” So they answered, “As you are, so were they; each one resembled the son of a king.”
EXPOSITION
Gideon’s determination to pursue the enemy immediately strikes the reader. Even after a long battle and a great victory, Gideon and his men continued to pursue the remaining Midianites. They didn’t give up until they had captured their leaders and brought them back to face justice. There is a lesson here for us as well. Sometimes in life, we face obstacles and challenges that can seem overwhelming. But if we stay focused and determined, we will overcome them with the thelp of the Lord. We may need to keep pursuing our goals, even when it seems like we are not making progress or we are losing ground. We need to be persistent in our efforts to reach our destinations. At the same time, we need to be careful not to let our pursuit turn into an obsession. Gideon’s pursuit of the enemy was motivated by a desire to bring justice and peace to his people, not for self-aggrandisement. If your pursuit is driven by selfish, or destructive motives, it can lead you down a dangerous path. God forbid! So, learn from Gideon’s example and pursue your goals with determination and persistence, but always with a sense of fairness, justice and alignment with the Lord’s purpose. With that mindset, you can achieve great exploits and make a positive impact beyond expectations. Don’t forget. Like that wonderful man of God would say, “It is not over until it is over.” Keep pursuing with the strength of the Lord. You overtake and take over, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. I receive the grace to keep focus even in the face of overwhelming odds, in Jesus’ name
2. Ask for strong will and determination to keep on pursuing when it seems impossible in life, in Jesus’ name
3. Pray for the CAC Department of Christian Education, the Director and the staff as led by the Spirit of God.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY
CAC GHB: 721
1. Onward! Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus,
Going on before,
Christ, the Royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See! his banners go
Chorus:
Onward! Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
2. At the sign of triumph Satan’s legions flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, On to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver, At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices, Loud your anthems raise.
3. Like a mighty army moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading Where
the saints have trod
We are not divided, All one body we,
One in hope, in doctrine, One in charity.
4. Crowns and thrones may perish,
Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus constant will remain;
Gates of hell can never ‘gainst that Church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise,
And that cannot fail.
5. Onward, then, ye people! Join our happy throng;
Blend with ours your voices In the triumph song:
Glory, laud, and honour Unto
Christ the King!’
This, through countless ages, Men and angels sing
Amen.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY
Isaiah 4, 5, 6, 7