Topic: There is Hope [DCLM Daily Manna 25 January 2020 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
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Text: Lamentations 4:13-22
13 And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;
14 When the sin, which they have sinned against it, is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation.
15 And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.
16 And the priest that is anointed shall bring of the bullock’s blood to the tabernacle of the congregation:
17 And the priest shall dip his finger in some of the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD, even before the vail.
18 And he shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar which is before the LORD, that is in the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall pour out all the blood at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
19 And he shall take all his fat from him, and burn it upon the altar.
20 And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.
21 And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn him as he burned the first bullock: it is a sin offering for the congregation.
22 When a ruler hath sinned, and done somewhat through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD his God concerning things which should not be done, and is guilty;
Key Verse: “The anger of the LORD hath divided them; he will no more regard them: they respected not the persons of the priests, they favoured not the elders.” – (Lamentations 4:16)
MESSAGE:
When Oliver Conwell sat for his portrait, the artist proposed that he cover a disfiguring wart by resting his head on his hand. The blunt protector said gruffly, “No, paint me as I am, warts and all”. The tragic condition of Judah was a result of their drifting into sin without giving heed to the warnings of Prophet Jeremiah and seeking help where there is none. They became polluted and unclean before the heathen.
The lofty posture of Judah did not deter God from accomplishing His fury on them. It is wandering like blind men in the streets for the people of God to be blood-guilty and still hope they will find their way to safety. God matches sin with judgment but true repentance attracts mercy and loving kindness. He promises through the prophecy of Jeremiah that Judah’s captivity would come to an end when the purpose of divine chastisement is accomplished.
Conformity to sin is catastrophic. God’s door of mercy is open to all who will repent of them. There is no benefit in covering up sin or seeking salvation where there is none (Acts 4:12). Our salvation is in Christ Jesus. To be free from captivity and reproach of sin you must come to God as you are “warts and all” – for total cleansing. Don’t paint a portrait that cover your true self either as a priest or parishioner, leader or laity, minster or member, shepherd or sheep, pastors or preachers. Show yourself “warts and all”, and divine mercy will locate you.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: There is no hope for a sinner outside Christ.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 30-32
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.