Daily Manna

Key Verse

“…Art thou made of the king’s counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee…” (2 Chronicles 25:16).

TEXT — 2 Chronicles 25:11-16

Message

Sometimes, success can be intoxicating. It tends to influence a person’s behaviour the same way as alcoholic beverages sway the mind and character of drunkards. They develop an over-sized ego, and with pride, begin to ascribe to themselves great accomplishments. They lose all sense of modesty and moderation and become irrational in their actions.

Amaziah, king of Judah, fell into such a pit. He had launched a war against the Edomites, and helped by God, he roundly defeated the enemies. The victory was total, something Amaziah did not initially anticipate, and as a result, had hired one hundred thousand mercenaries from Israel, to join his fighting force. He was warned by a prophet of God to send them back as God’s favour and grace was not upon them, emphasizing that if Amaziah defiantly went ahead with the hired fighters, he would be defeated by the enemies. He accepted the rebuke, and sent those men back. But on their way, they angrily attacked some cities in Judah, killed three thousand people, and carried away much goods and property. Rather inexplicably, Amaziah, victorious over the Edomites, chose to bring the idols of those people to Jerusalem, and began to worship them. He rejected the counsel of a prophet of God who rebuked him for bringing the idols of Edom into Judah, threatening him with death. Such is the intoxicating power of success!

We must never lose sight of the reality that human beings are easily lured into sin at the slightest temptation, especially after recording successes, and brimming with confidence and excitement. The tendency at such a time is to turn away from the Lord, and pursue the things of the world that brought us much wealth, fame and power. Yet, it is at such a time that we need to be more watchful over our lives, so as not to fall into the temptation of the devil.

Thought for the day

Watch out for the valley, once you have peaked at the mountain top.

• Bible
• in one year
• Matthew 26 (Read By Alexander Scourby)