11^th December 2024

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

Theme: GOD, OUR TRUE HAPPINESS

THEME SCRIPTURE: "And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord." 1 Samuel 7:2 KJV

Podcast Discussion: 

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. How can you maintain a consistent fellowship with God in your daily life?

The Ark of the Covenant, which was the emblem of His presence, had been captured and taken to the land of the Philistines for seven months (1 Sam 6:1). There is room to suppose that during this time, the tent of worship in Shiloh was abandoned and brought to ruin (Jer 26:9;  Psalm 78:60). The presence of God was no longer in Shiloh all this while, and hence, worship ceased. When the ark was returned, there was no place to keep it. There was no tent of worship for it. Eventually, the ark was sent to Kirjath-jearim (1 Sam 6:21), to the house of Abinadab, and his son Eleazar was sanctified to keep it (1 Sam 7:1).

Beloved, the Ark of His presence abode in Kirjath-jearim for twenty years. That was a long time, during which the house of Israel lamented (cried out with hunger) after God (1 Sam 7:2).

Yeah, the nation of Israel lost fellowship with the Lord God, and they felt the emptiness and the dryness of bones that came with it. David knew this very well when he said,  "For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed" (Psalm 31:10-11).

Precious one, there are times when the temptation to wean yourself from God becomes strong. Yeah, at times, we feel we should be independent of Him. Thus, those times we want to pursue our goals in our own way. There are other times also when we let sin, iniquity, guile, and transgression separate us from God, as the clouds shield the sun's rays from sight. In all these, beloved of God, don't forget this: "We have peace and joy only when we have God."

As lilies among thorns, so is the life that is devoid of fellowship with God.

Adam enjoyed consistent fellowship with God. The day he lost fellowship with Him, Adam knew he had lost something. The struggles of Adam only began when his fellowship with God was broken, and thorns, thistles, and trouble associated his life. The children of Israel groaned for twenty years because there was no fellowship with the Infinite One.

Today, our busy lives have become so important to us that we hardly have fellowship with God. Man today is too busy because he wants more money to get more things to be happy. We are busy because we want to survive. Yet, He has said: "... Without Me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5). Gradually, many Christians are losing their prayer lives, and in many homes, there is no devotion. Today, we have Bibles, but we hardly open them. We appear in church for two hours on Sundays and think we have had fellowship with God. We have supposed that by being busy, we can calibrate our lives into happiness. What a lie.

Created in the image of God (Gen 1:27), beloved, our joy does not come from things but from Him. He (God) is our happiness.

Therefore, neglect not your fellowship with Him lest you lament all your days. Thorns and thistles will not be far from your life. Do not neglect intimacy with God lest you sow much and reap little; you eat and not be satisfied; you drink and not be filled; you clothe yourself in fleece but will never be warm, and you will earn wages to put them in a bag with holes. Beloved, consider your ways. Turn to God with a heart of devotion, and He will turn to you. Maintain a consistent personal prayer time with God, and life will take a superior turn for you. Continuous fellowship with God is the difference maker in this life.

Remain blessed.

FURTHER READING: Genesis 3:1-24

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. How disciplined are you regarding your personal fellowship with God?

PRAYER

Precious Father, you are my source in this life. You are my life and length of days. From today, I choose to remain in your presence, consistently fellowshipping with you through your Word and in prayer. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto you all my days, in Jesus' precious name. Glory Hallelujah!

ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Job 13, Nahum 3, 1 Peter 1