MONDAY - 25TH JULY, 2022
MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola ADEJUMO
SUCH RESOLUTION AND SACRIFICE!
Acts 23:12, KJV
"And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul."
When you're hot, you'll attract attention. Only that, it's not angels only that will take note of you. Satan and his cohorts will do. When they do, get ready for all sorts of fights and manifestations of same through human beings of flesh and blood.
Paul has converted to the Way which he once persecuted. This seems a grievous thing. Now, he preaches to contend with those he had once sided and sought consent from (Acts 9:1-2). Now, he's spreading the Way and he seems to be too zealous, damaging and so must be contained. In the bid to have him boxed, some serious, resolute men banded themselves together and revealed themselves to the authority of the high priest on how they're ready to suffer and sacrifice to see that Paul is not only silenced but killed. Their resolution reveals utmost seriousness. They're not wishful thinkers but actors and steps carriers. First of all, they bind themselves with an oath or a curse. Humans are known for fragility of will and he might turn back from his recent commitment. As to avoid that, they secured the group's commitment to killing Paul by swearing an oath and placing themselves under compulsion. The oath is that until he's killed, they won't eat. We all know how important food is to our sustainment and how it's impossible for the body to do without it for many days. That's the extent these ones are willing to afflict themselves to ensure that just one man is cut off.
How do you face your targets? With resolution, focus, dedication and staunch commitment or with a wishful attitude? It will be unfortunate if the commitment of any Christian is not known in anything he does. It must be clear that we are here to stay and succeed. Though they didn't finally find Paul to be murdered yet no one had a shadow of doubt at the onset that Paul won't be killed. To kill him, they left other things unattended to and that includes any sort of pleasure. Do you have a pursuit? Let it show how much you crave achieving it by the intensity of your pursuit. Pursue with revenge, newness, vigour, strength and singleness of heart. Drive yourself to achievement. Give yourself a morale booster. Be a taskmaster to yourself. Set goals and fix deadlines. Let statements like, "until I finish, I won't eat, sleep or take a step out" be your acting guide. This will leave you with no option but to concentrate and get tasks done once and for all. Let the day own trouble be sufficient for the day. Carrying over is dangerous and at the end not accomplished. Those men were men of one thing. Paul was their objective. Until you are, your pursuing may be weak.
PRAYER: Give me the will to be resolute and pursue my resolution.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14; Romans 9:1-24; Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 20:1
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