BE SLOW TO CONDEMN

MONDAY, 18TH JULY, 2022.

Topic: BE SLOW TO CONDEMN

MEMORIZED: "When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person" (Job 22:29 KJV).

SCRIPTURE READING: Job 22:21-30.

“Acquaint now yourself with Him [agree with God and show yourself to be conformed to His will] and be at peace; by that [you shall prosper and great] good shall come to you. Receive, I pray you, the law and instruction from His mouth and lay up His words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty [and submit and humble yourself before Him], you will be built up; if you put away unrighteousness far from your tents, If you lay gold in the dust, and the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brook [considering them of little worth], And make the Almighty your gold and [the Lord] your precious silver treasure, Then you will have delight in the Almighty, and you will lift up your face to God. You will make your prayer to Him, and He will hear you, and you will pay your vows. You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light [of God’s favor] shall shine upon your ways. When they make [you] low, you will say, [There is] a lifting up; and the humble person He lifts up and saves. He will even deliver the one [for whom you intercede] who is not innocent; yes, he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.” Amplified Bible. 

EXPOSITION:

Sometimes, we think we have a better knowledge of what God commands than others. Worse still, we inadvertently erect a standard of expectation for others far beyond what God demands. Some people feel good doing this because they believe they're helping them. But in reality, they are destroying whatever little faith in God others have left.

Such was the effect of the words of Job's friend, Eliphaz. When he started his speech, he commended Job for all the good and notable things he had done. But soon, he began to hint that there may be need for him to repent from some unknown sins. He urged him to turn to God and be forgiven. Thereafter, he would begin to prosper greatly; the Almighty shall protect him, and he would delight in God. When he prays, God will hear; whatever he decrees shall be done. God should shine His light on him; lift him up and save him from all his troubles. These are all truths; only that they did not apply to Job and his circumstances.

Many injuries have been inflicted as a result of rash judgements and insinuations that are totally untrue. Some young believers in faith have had to backslide as a result to receiving condemnation from those whose duty is to make them grounded in faith.

We must ensure at all times that we do not condemn those God has justified. Even when we see people suffering from many adversities, we must not hastily assume that it is because of their sins. Of course, where we see obvious sins, we should encourage them to repent and turn to God. But if they are living as believers, we should assure them of the unfailing promises of God and affirm to them His faithfulness to help His children.

PRAYER POINT: LORD, give me the enabling grace to lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees in Jesus’ name.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR – Proverbs 19-22.

********************************

Please share this message on all platform and let’s join hands together in proclaiming the kingdom of God. God bless you greatly in Jesus name. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com