TUESDAY- 1ST AUGUST, 2023
MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO
Happy Risen & Upright Month!
THE WOES OF DEMAS
II Timothy 4:10, KJV
"For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia".
Did you read that? Let me quicky ask you this. What would you be reputed for? Paul says, "Demas has forsaken him, having loved this present world". Let me say that God is not saying you shouldn't have other loves or interests. However, nothing must rival or tower Him. For Demas, something towered God's love and the calling in his life. It's such thing that you love more that'll eventually have you. That's why Demas couldn't escape it. Paul says, "having loved this present world". That's the world that'll fail, that'll pass. You should observe what idea Paul seeks to convey. The revelation that what he fell for doesn't worth it. He fell for this present world - what you and I know will pass away with its lust (I John 2:17). Many are still falling for the ephemeralness of what Demas fell for. They yet haven't seen the tangibility in operating their callings but rather to seek after distraction. Just for a little kingdom of the world dangled before them, they immediately forget they are on a messianic mission to save people and bring them Christ's light. The devil tempted Jesus with this present world also. He told Him to bow to him and that He'll be rewarded with "all these things". You see, "all these things" have been the woes of many men.
Matthew 4:8-9, KJV
"8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me".
It is that "all these things" that Demas couldn't resist. All these things stole him from God's kingdom and its righteousness. So little. Probably a few gold, purple dresses, proper shelter and ladies' bosoms that he could grab and hold unto. That's all. Or it might be a personal ambition or dream devoid of Christ and His will. Paul in anguish lament at that. Just look at the expression.
Demas has forsaken me also reveals a sort of betrayal that's not expected or that which causes awe but what would he do? Demas has made his choice of who to go be with. Paul here is symbolic of the call and Demas has chosen to separate from him. Demas sure has his lot in their ministry. However, his eyes couldn't stay in one place. He loved this present world and went to Thessalonica after it. As typical of those who later went to be with the world (departing from their calls), they must have longed, interacted and visited the world for long occasionally until they finally decided to take that last step to be with it and stay with it perpetually. The step that tore them separably from Christ. The very opportunity Satan was awaiting all this while. Eventually, his wishes has come to pass over them.
Jesus speaking of Satan and his desires over men, especially men of the calling says this to Peter.
Luke 22:31-32, KJV
"31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren".
When you sift something, it's to make a separation between two things and to regard one and disregard the other. When Satan asks to sieve Peter, he wanted to sieve him of all the substances of his faith so he could be easily trapped and handled by him. Nothing will remain because the substance of faith, virtue, prayer, fellowship, Bible study, zeal for God would have all been eliminated. It means such victim is now a shaft that the wind could not only carry but toss wherever it wants. How? What would make him endure, resist and persevere has been taken away. So, he'll just be too weak and vulnerable to resist Satan one bit. That was Satan's plan, wish, desire and prayer over Peter. However, he found grace because somebody interceded for him. Ooooh, may you enjoy intercession and interception. May you not be taken away like that. May there be a fight over you which will result into your eventual salvation. This road of forsaking the call which you're beginning to tour, may its cycle not be completed over you. May you come to your understanding. May you not leave where you already have a measure of testimony and could be said to have obtained a part of the ministry to ephemeralness and what doesn't really reward. May you not sell your share and remove yourself from being a stakeholder in what Christ owns which you're building on. May you stay and grow old with your call.
PRAYER: Lord, save me from covetousness. A man's life doesn't consist in the abundance of what he has. May I not be enticed successfully by this present world.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15
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