The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 26 August 2025: Outward Beauty Without Inward Sanctity
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TOPIC: Outward Beauty Without Inward Sanctity
READ: 2 Samuel 14:25-33 (NKJV)
- Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
- And when he cut the hair of his head — at the end of every year he cut [it] because it was heavy on him — when he cut it, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels according to the king’s standard.
- To Absalom were born three sons, and one daughter whose name [was] Tamar. She was a woman of beautiful appearance.
- And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, but did not see the king’s face.
- Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. And when he sent again the second time, he would not come.
- So he said to his servants, “See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire.” And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire.
- Then Joab arose and came to Absalom’s house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”
- And Absalom answered Joab, “Look, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, so that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I come from Geshur? [It would be] better for me [to be] there still.” ‘ Now therefore, let me see the king’s face; but if there is iniquity in me, let him execute me.”
- So Joab went to the king and told him. And when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king. Then the king kissed Absalom.
THE MESSAGE:
Every endowment or perfect gift comes from the Father of lights. God is the Potter, we are the clay and being a God of varieties, He has designed us the way He wants us to be. Beautiful or not, handsome or not, we have nothing to boast of. We must glorify God with our bodies with inward purity. In Israel, Absalom was praised for his beauty. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head, there was no blemish. His popularity came from his extraordinary handsomeness.
However, Absalom lacked inward sanctity. The heart of a man is desperately wicked unless it is controlled by God. By Absalom’s command, his servants set Joab’s field on fire for not answering his calls. We must be slow to anger and pause before taking actions. Joab finally took him to see King David, and the king kissed him, yet, Absalom had evil in his heart for David. Things that defile a man come from the heart, regardless of outward beauty. Give God your heart and let His word dwell richly in you. Beauty without Christ will lead to pride; what we need is the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet Spirit (1 Peter 3:4).
PRAYER: Lord, help me to remember that beauty without You is vain, Amen!
