DCLM DAILY MANNA DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 (NAIL THE FLESH!)
TOPIC: NAIL THE FLESH!
TEXT: 2 Kings 14:1-12
1. In the second year of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel reigned Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah.
2. He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.
3. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father; he did according to all things as Joash his father did.
4. Howbeit the high places were not taken away; as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places.
5. And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
6. But the children of the murderers he slew not; according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
7. He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.
8. Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.
9. And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife; and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.
10. Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up; glory of this, and tarry at home; for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?
11. But Amaziah would not hear. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went up; and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Bethshemesh, which belongeth to Judah.
12. And Judah was put to the worse before Israel; and they fled every man to their tents.
KEY VERSE:
“Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.” – (2 Kings 14:8).
MESSAGE
Some people brag about their success in their occupation, careers, families, etc. and attribute none of such to God’s special favour. Instead, they turn such blessings into instruments of disrespect for God. In a moment, all they boast of is gone.
In our text today, King Amaziah of Judah, after conquering Edom, decided to go to war with King Jehoash of Israel. He sent messengers to Israel and demanded a face-to-face encounter with their king. Of course, he was defeated in the battle that followed and lost much possession due to pride and self-confidence. The carnal nature harbours unholy passion, inordinate affection and lusts, as well as sinful desires.
It is the corrupt nature that neither submits to God’s absolute authority nor relies on His mercy. It is the inherent human nature that always kicks against God’s will, constantly desiring to fulfil its own will and relying on its own strength. It is a compulsive inner force inherited from the Fall, which expresses itself in general or specific rebellion against God and His righteousness. It is the fallen, selfish nature of humans that predisposes them to sin and makes them omit God in their lives and actions.
The flesh should be brought under subjection through the power of the Spirit of God in us. The carnal mind or the flesh is opposed to the Spirit. Christ has secured for us, through His death on the cross, the power to overcome sin. We can possess this power if we have a deep desire for it and pray earnestly to live an overcoming life. To get to heaven eventually, we must mortify the flesh and submit to the Spirit’s guidance and counsel.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Nail the flesh daily to stay alive spiritually.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Numbers 19-21
DCLM Daily Manna 16th September 2022 | Nail The Flesh!
