Topic: Come Back Home — Monday November 27, 2017.
Text: Job 34:31-37
Key Verse: “That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more” (Job 34:32).
The courage to make amends is a proof of genuine spiritual transformation and desire for spiritual progress and promotion. Many who have strayed away from home and happiness often delude themselves with excuses and reasons for staying away. But the prodigal son would ever be remembered and commended for his decision to go back home and reconcile with his father – even when he felt he had disappointed his father woefully and as such had lost the status and privileges of a true son (Luke 15:17-22).
Repentance from sin and all dead works is central to reconciliation, pardon, peace, worship and fellowship with God. The counsel of Elihu, Job’s friend in our text is a wise and timely one which resonates each time the gospel is presented to those who have gone astray. Repentant sinners should be humble and earnest to ask God for help to understand their faults and resolutely plead for grace never to repeat such sinful acts. Indeed, it is worth crying out to God like Elihu had rightly counseled “…if I have done iniquity, I will do no more” (Job 34:32b).
This is the only way of securing the mercies of God for the penitent sinner who desires to return home to make peace with God. In a world like ours where godly and moral standards have been terribly compromised, seekers after God must humbly pray for spiritual enlightenment and grace to follow the right way and constantly say no to all evil. Our God is so faithful to pardon and welcome every returning prodigal child home. Even so, believers must not lower the gospel standard in the bid to save the lost. Repentance from all sin, not health and wealth theology, must be the cardinal point of our gospel message.
Thought for the day: In repentance and rest shall every sinner find respite.
Bible Reading in one Year: Ezekiel 39-42
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.