Anglican Daily Fountain Devotional 19 February 2020 – The Christian and the Evil Days
Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20: 15 See then that you walk [a]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Message: A Christian is one who is saved from sin and satanic activities in the world through faith in Jesus Christ, the Lord and Saviour. As a result of this salvation and pure faith in Christ, the world hates the Christian (Jn. 17:14). This world that hates the Christian has Satan as its master just as the Christian has Jesus Christ as his Master. It is the deception and works of Satan through men that has brought about the evil days.
“Evil days” are times of progressive increase in ungodliness and unrighteousness. It manifests itself in strong opposition to the gospel of Christ, truth and justice; subtle corruption of the gospel and the church of God. These call for wisdom and godly actions on the part of the Christian.
Our reading today gives instructions of what Christians must do regarding the evil days. They include: to be careful and live wisely not as fools (v.15); to utilise every opportunity for the advantage of God’s kingdom (v.16); to seek to understand God’s will in all matters (v.17); to be sober, yield fully to the control of the Holy Spirit and worship God in spirit and truth (vs. 18-20); to giving thanks always to God for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (v.20).
These are God’s prescription for the Christian to overcome the evil days, succeed in this present world and finally inherit the everlasting kingdom of God. Every Christian should accept and practise this divine wisdom.
Daily Quote: “I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him. I ended up by asking God to do His work through me.”– Hudson Taylor
Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank you for your provision for me to overcome the evil days; help me to commit myself to practising them in Jesus name. Amen
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