31^st December 2024

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

Theme: VICTORIOUS BUT DISTRESSED

THEME SCRIPTURE: "And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food." 1 Samuel 14:16,24 KJV

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. How wise must the Christian be, even though he or she has been given the Holy Spirit of God?

Indeed, God delivered the Philistines into the hands of Israel through Jonathan and his armour bearer, yet the celebration was awful. "The Lord saved Israel that day" (1 Sam 14:23), and in the next verse, it is recorded, "And the men of Israel were distressed" (1 Sam 14:24). What was the problem? What might have gone wrong in the midst of such a victory?

The cause of the concern was tied to an oath that Saul had given to his entire army—to fast the entire day.

Saul’s motives were good, but his actions were inappropriate for such a desperate situation. His unwise prohibition had a terrible sequel: first, in the exhaustion of his troops (1 Sam 14:31).

Why would someone go to war on an empty stomach? 

Secondly, when the victory was secured, the hungry army rushed upon the spoil and began to eat animals together with their blood (1 Sam 14:32). The tragedy of Saul’s oath was that instead of making the men so wholly dedicated to God that they would be invigorated, they were so exhausted and famished that they grew faint. Consequently, Saul’s act had the opposite effect.

Precious one, wisdom is important in our walk with God.

We cannot forget that man is a spirit, dwelling in a body, and having a soul (1 Thes 5:23).

The God we serve is not interested in the richness of our spirit, coupled with the ignorance of our minds and the weakness of our bodies.

Yes, we cannot forget that God has given us His Spirit and also a brain to live with. Therefore, we need to be wise. Moses was a great man of God but was unwise in the way he was handling his day-to-day management of the Israelites. He was the only one settling disputes from morning till evening (Exo 18:13). Jethro assured Moses that his approach was not good, and surely he and the people would wear away [or be worn out] in no time (Exo 18:17-18). Yes, his father-in-law approached him and advised him what to do—to delegate (Exo 18:19-23) and Moses listened.

There are some Christians who have been brought out of darkness into God's marvellous light, yet they are distressed in life.

They are so unwise that they have become the enemy of their own progress. Some have fasted without wisdom and died or secured an infirmity. Some have made a rushed vow (Lev 5:4-6) and they can't honor it (Eccl 5:4-5). It is better not to vow than to do so and not honor it.

Beloved, as Moses was humble and hearkened to the advice of his father-in-law, let us be humble and learn, knowing that being born again does not mean that we should throw our brains away.

 Let's learn to keep our bodies strong; our spirit and soul need it. Let's enlighten our minds; our spirit and body need it.

Precious one, let us enrich our spirits because our body and soul depend on it.

Remain blessed

FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 14:15-35

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 well do you think through matters even though you pray about them?

PRAYER

Precious Lord, wisdom is the principal thing, and Christ is unto me the wisdom of God. I affirm that in Christ, I am filled with all the wisdom from above. Hence, my ways are wise, bringing glory to God. Hallelujah!

ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN

Job 41,  Job 42,  Malachi 3,  Malachi 4,  Revelation 21, Revelation 22