The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 17 August 2019 – Do Not Sow Among Thorns
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TOPIC: Do Not Sow Among Thorns
READ: Jeremiah 4:1-9 King James Version (KJV)
1 If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.
2 And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
3 For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
5 Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.
6 Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.
7 The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.
8 For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.
9 And it shall come to pass at that day, saith the LORD, that the heart of the king shall perish, and the heart of the princes; and the priests shall be astonished, and the prophets shall wonder.
THE MESSAGE:
According to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 13:22; sowing among thorns implies allowing cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches to deny one from practising the word of God as revealed in the scriptures.
Also Read: The Danger of Compromise by Pastor David Ibiyeomie
Yesterday, we discovered that the Israelites had departed from their God and had an urgent need to repent and return to Him. In returning, they were to remove all that separated them from God, especially greed and love of riches which lead to idolatry. Others were covetousness and selfish ambition which lead to oppressing the poor and the weak. Israel had to turn away from these wickedness and many others. Otherwise, God would release unbearable punishment against them.
Even today, God is telling Christians not to sow among thorns.
Regrettably, many Christians are using corrupt practices to enrich themselves; others bow to idols of our times to overcome economic pressure. Some oppress the poor, join cults and accept ungodly partnerships because of fame and wealth. Indeed, they are sowing among thorns and so deliberately inviting the wrath of God to the land. Examine yourself and repent where necessary, for our God is merciful and compassionate and will forgive according to His promise (see 1 John 1:9).
Beloved, lay hold of His promises and so avert the painful result of sowing among thorns. Do not delay any longer on this matter.
PRAYER: Almighty God, help Your children to flee from every action and relationship that leads to idolatry and godlessness in Jesus name. Amen.
