MEMORY VERSE: and it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramath-lehi. Judges 15:17
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: James 3-5
In Judges 15:11-16, the enemies ‘within’, grabbed Samson, bound him and handed him over to the enemies ‘without.’ Three thousand men of Judah, his brothers, went to his place, tied him with new cords and brought him to the Philistines. As they were about to deliver him into hands of his enemies, the Philistines, the fire of Holy Ghost fell and consumed the cords that was used to tie him. He found a jawbone of an ass, strategically positioned by God in that area, picked it and the Philistines began to fall one after the other. The jawbone literally became a Sub Machine Gun (SMG) in the hands of Samson, within an hour; he killed a thousand men with it.
After the battle, Samson threw away the jawbone. Judges 15:17 says: “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramath-lehi.” Friend, where is the ‘jawbone’ with which you secured victory? You were always in church and on time when you were seeking employment. You would attend mid-week service, Sunday school, family service and all. Now that you have secured a permanent employment, you come to church when you like. Friend, do not throw away the ‘jawbone’, your zeal for the house of God, which brought you victory. Sister, you were part of the Sanctuary keepers, drama group and choir. Now that you are married, you no longer serve in the vineyard of God. You come only on Sundays to listen to the sermon and go home. Please, do not throw away the ‘jawbone,’ your selfless service in the vineyard of God, which brought you victory. Sir, you used to have time for the things of God. You lead mid-week services and officiate during special programs at church. Today, you no longer do that. When you were a junior staff, you served like Bro Urbane. Now that you are a senior manager, you no longer have time for the things of God. Sir, do not cast aside the ‘jawbone,’ zeal for the work of God, which brought where you are.
Some of us used to be generous to God. Asides from tithing, we sowed cheerfully into the God’s work. Now that God has established and prospered us, we have now become stingy to God. Your sacrificial giving was the ‘jawbone’ that gave you victory over poverty, why cast it away?
When you were seeking that office, you were humble and down to earth. You proved to us that you had integrity and good character. Sir, do not cast away your good character i.e. ‘jawbone’ that gave you victory during the elections. When you were an ordinary brother, before the ‘Man of God’ title, you used to spend quality time with God. You never used to miss your quiet time. You used to set out time to minister to God in fasting and praying but you now that you are a MOG, you no longer minister to God. All you care about is the ministry, not the One who gave you the ministry. The ministry has now taken the place of the owner of the ministry.
THOUGHT: Where is that jawbone - sacrificial giving, humility, diligence, praying and fasting, life of holiness, character, integrity with which you secured victory over the enemy?
PRAYER: Father, please help me not to become complacent.
Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.
