Theme: IT SHALL BE WELL WITH THE RIGHTEOUS
Text:
“What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?” – Psalm 89:48.
Comment:
When death occurs, it leaves profound effect on individuals, families, communities and even the society at large. The devil is chiefly responsible for the unfortunate events that lead to loss of lives. In some cases, little ones are left as orphans following the death of their parents, but worse still is the grief and heaviness of heart which befall parents when they are alive and see their children being buried. – Matthew 2:17,18.
In some areas, the devil uses death as weapon of torment, or to sustain a fear factor in people. Therefore, all sorts of superstitious beliefs are formulated to keep death at bay. Onwubiko in Igbo language is a plea against death. Among the Urhobos, Egwubare means “death ends here”. The Yorubas say Kashimawo meaning “let us wait to see if the child would stay or die.”
We need to pray to God to keep death far from us, even though it is inevitable at some point in life. (Psalm 89:48; Ecclesiastes 8:8) The significant point to take note of is that whatever time death occurs, one should ensure we die in the Lord. (Romans 14:7-9) Resurrection is the hope of true Christians as stated Apostle Paul. See1Thessalonians 4:13,14,18.
Theme: COMMENTARY ON HEBREWS 11:32 - 40
Text:“For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it.” – Jeremiah 32:3.
Comment: Because the king and people of Judah had given themselves to the worship of the devil, God Almighty used Jeremiah the prophet to warn them, telling them that if they would not repent, He would make Jerusalem and the temple they took pride in to suffer the fate of Shiloh, where the name of God was in earlier times before it was destroyed and abandoned. (Joshua 18:1; 19:51; 1Kings 14:2.) For warning the people against sin the leaders determined that Jeremiah must die. (Jeremiah 26:1-10) However, some of the elders, together with Ahikam, an officer of the king, intervened to prevent them from their wicked plot.
Again, when the Chaldeans besieged Jerusalem, Jeremiah was instructed by God to tell them to submit to their rule to avoid death and destruction. This was seen as treason for which the leaders of the people convinced King Zedekiah to cast Jeremiah into.a well. But God also delivered him. When we stand up for the truth, even in the face of danger, God will give us victory in the end. St. Paul in his writings recalled God delivered them “from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us” (2 Corinthians 1:10).. He added that God Almighty shall deliver him “from every evil work, and will preserve him unto his heavenly kingdom. – 2 Timothy 4:18