DCLM Daily Manna Tuesday 23 May 2023
TOPIC: Dangerous Self-Isolation
TEXT: Judges 18:22-31 (KJV)
KEY VERSE:
“And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Bethrehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein.”
(Judges 18:28)
DCLM Daily Manna Tuesday 23 May 2023 MESSAGE
Man has been created to be interdependent. This is what John Donne meant when he said, “No man is an island!” No one or nation is self-sufficient. The practice of international relations is borne from the understanding that no nation, however, endowed, can survive without the support of other nations.
In our text for today, we find the danger of a nation or individual trying to live in isolation of others. The marauding Danites came across the nation of Laish who thought themselves to live secure and in peace. They were far away from others and felt no need of external support. They also had no business dealings with others. This feeling of self-sufficiency and safety made them easy prey to the children of Dan who slayed them and burnt their city without any resistance.
No matter how strong you may think you are and how spiritually endowed, you need others. Isolation is not good for anyone. A lot of people have suffered unnecessarily and there are many who are dying silently because they fail to relate and interact with others. It is not a show of strength or spirituality when you choose to travel through life without any friend or partner to unburden your heart.
If you have been living in isolation and trying to manage life alone, you must change today. Find a friend; locate a fellowship and associate yourself with it. If you are not married yet as an adult, you need to find a life partner. Do not think you are too spiritual to marry. If you are within a fellowship already, do not be a lone ranger. Get actively involved and freely share with others. Never allow the devil to take advantage of your loneliness to bring you into defeat.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Strictly speaking, self-sufficiency exists only in words.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 6-7
