MEMORISE
I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings (Jeremiah 17:10).
READ:
Genesis 18:20-26
[20]. And the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave,
[21]. I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”
[22]. Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord.
[23]. And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
[24]. Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?
[25]. Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
[26]. So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”
EXPOSITION
It is a pity how many souls have been condemned in prison for offences they never committed, while those who actually committed the offences walk the streets in pleasure. There are cases where people have been wrongly accused and sentenced, only to be declared innocent and freed after serving several years in jail. That is limited to the human justice system, anyway, and sometimes, we don't take the time to properly investigate, for biases, favouritism, or selfish gains.
To investigate is to try to find out the facts about something, in order to learn the truth about it that would inform decisions about it. Only God knows the depth of man's heart. Though the cry of the people of Sodom reached God, He wouldn't swing into judgement immediately, but instead, preferred to investigate the reality. He is the just Judge! Imagine havocs that hearsay had wrecked in churches, homes, workplaces and communities. How many men have divorced their wives based on false allegations not proven? Are there no false claims about Jesus' life, death and resurrection that many are believing, to the detriment of their souls?
Wisdom is the key to avoiding misjudgement. King Solomon's example refers here (1 Kgs. 3:16-28). This, coupled with patience, gentleness and fairness are required to judge a matter rightly. Make sure you prove your case beyond reasonable doubt before concluding on any matter. Never conclude hurriedly! With this, we mark the International Day for Disaster Reduction 2023.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY:
CAC GHB 457
1. Holy Bible, book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine, to tell me whence I came;
Mine, to teach me what I am.
2. Mine, to chide me when I rove;
Mine, to show a Saviour's love;
Mine, art thou to guide my feet;
Mine, to judge, condemn, acquit.
3. Mine, to comfort in distress,
If the Holy Spirit bless;
Mine, to show by living faith
Man can triumph over death.
4. Mine, to tell of joys to come,
Light and life beyond the tomb;
Holy Bible, book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.
Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. O Lord, I need the spirit of patience, so I will not be led into error.
2. O Lord, deliver homes from the spirit of hearsay that is already chattering marriages.
3. Father, help ministers who are wrongfully accused and punished, to forgive and forget offences.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Matthew 14:13-17:13
AUTHOR
CAC Worldwide
Remain blessed
 DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE: Friday, October 13, 2023 (International Day for Disaster Reduction) TOPIC: INVESTIGATE PROPERLY){kind=link}