The Daily Fountain Devotional Saturday, December 17, 2022
The Daily Fountain Devotional Saturday, December 17, 2022
Saturday, December 17, 2022
TOPIC: NEEDED: HUMBLE MEN
TEXT: Zephaniah 3:1-13
1 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! 2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God. 3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. 4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. 5 The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. 6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.
7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings. 8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent. 10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.
12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. 13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
The Daily Fountain Devotional Saturday, December 17, 2022
INTRODUCTION TEXT
As we sat for dinner, he rose immediately after we gave thanks for the meal, took the serving spoon and stretched his hands to take my plate to serve me first. I was so taken by surprise that a man of great repute like him would want to do this. Although I declined politely, offering instead to serve him, I learnt a valuable lesson in humility. God's desire is to leave in our midst, 'apeople humble and lowly' (v.12). In our churches, offices and homes, humble people have become endangered species. In a world of self-promotion via Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, being humble looks like an abnormality. Although we do not say it, there is a very subtle pressure even on Christians to promote themselves and shout out their strengths. Self-advertisement is now the order of the day.
But this seems to run contrary to Heaven's expectations; part of the kingdom lifestyle Jesus taught us is humility. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matt. 5:5); another word for 'meek' is 'humble.' Humility ought to characterise the life of a child of God. Being haughty and being a disciple of Jesus do not go together. Jesus exemplified humility for us in all He did: He washed the feet of the disciples and He insists we ought to do same for others. Humble men are the kind of men Jesus wants to leave in the midst of the church. Be one.
Prayer: Lord, give me the spirit of humility.