FRIDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2019 THEME: BEWARE OF THE “THIRD PARENT”

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE:  FRIDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2019

THEME: BEWARE OF THE “THIRD PARENT”

MEMORISE:
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
1 Corinthians 15:33

READ: 2 Samuel 13:1-15, 2 Samuel 13:25-29

1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.

2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.

3 But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtle man.

4 And he said unto him, Why art thou, being the king's son, lean from day to day? wilt thou not tell me? And Amnon said unto him, I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister.

5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.

6 So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.

7 Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat.

8 So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down.   And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes.

9 And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him.

10 And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother.

11 And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister.

12 And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly.

13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.

14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.

15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.

25 And the king said to Absalom, Nay, my son, let us not all now go, lest we be chargeable unto thee. And he pressed him: howbeit he would not go, but blessed him.

26 Then said Absalom, If not, I pray thee, let my brother Amnon go with us. And the king said unto him, Why should he go with thee?

27 But Absalom pressed him, that he let Amnon and all the king's sons go with him.

28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

29 And the servants of Absalom did unto Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king's sons arose, and every man gat him up upon his mule, and fled.

MESSAGE

The influence of peer groups has always been great in moulding a person's character either for good or bad. Indeed, friends and peer groups are the "third parent" to every individual. Peer pressure has the power of enticing a person into things they would never have considered doing. No wonder the Holy Spirit says in Proverbs 1:10:

“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”

Yo entice is to persuade a person to carry out an act, usually by offering something pleasant and attractive as dividend. An example of this is the serpent's dangling of the forbidden fruit before Eve (Genesis 3:6). Enticement usually works hand in hand with deception. May you never fall victim to the enticement of the world like Demas did in Jesus' Name (2 Timothy 4:10).

The power of temptation lies in its ability to entice its victim. Parents do not lure their children into temptation; rather, they lead their children on the path of greatness and right living. The Holy Spirit in our lives represents our divine parents, the Holy Trinity, and this is why we must always listen to the counsel He gives and reject any counsel contrary to His inspired word. The truth is, the Holy Spirit cannot lead you to do anything that is contrary to God's written word. Speaking on His mandate, our Lord said in John 16:13:

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.”

He then went on to say in John 17:17:

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

In other words, the Holy Spirit is to guide us into all of God's word, which is truth.

Associating with evil people has the potential to corrupt any person of good character. That is why the Holy Spirit is sending the warning in today's memory verse. Those who are wise will give heed to what the Holy Spirit says because He knows more than we know and sees better than we see. To avoid the snare of wicked peers and finish your race in heaven, let the Holy Spirit have the greatest influence on you. Do not keep friends like Jonadab in today's Bible reading, whose advice cost Amnon his life. Jonadab and Amnon were even cousins! Irrespective of family links, don't allow anyone influence you into destruction, because when it's all said and done, you will bear your cross yourself. May the Lord make you wise concerning this in Jesus' Name.

ACTION POINT:
Examine if the company you keep influences you for good and adds value to you. Discreetly withdraw from those who influence you negatively.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Kings 16-17, Daniel 2:17-35

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 2: OH JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED

1 O Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my guide.

2 O let me feel Thee near me,
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.

3 Oh let me hear Thee speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will;
Oh speak to reassure me,
To hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
Thou Guardian of my soul.

4 O Jesus, Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee,
That where Thou art in glory,
There shall Thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.

5 Oh, let me see Thy footmarks,
And in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
Is in Thy strength alone.
Oh, guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end;
And then to rest receive me,
My Saviour and my Friend.