Daily Manna – March 7, 2016
Topic: Independence
Reading: 1Chronicles 22
Scripture: And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God. (1Chron 22:7)
Note: Many liberal theologians have argued needlessly that Jehovah must be a bloody God who required the blood of His innocent Son, Jesus Christ, to die a brutal death on a cross, a shameful act, merely to appease His sense of justice, before forgiving man for his sins.
The scripture under consideration is enough proof and testimony that Jehovah is not a blood hungry God as is being suggested. He is a peaceful God. He is not interested in the blood of innocent people shed violently through wars, suicide bombing or even in the name of religion. God isn’t interested in associating His name with such recklessness. There are adherents of other faiths that believe that one’s reward in heaven is based on the number of infidel lives that one can eliminate whilst on earth. This is pathetic and based on hatred. God doesn’t approve of such wickedness.
The late Dr. Martin Luther King, a civil rights activist, was one person who fought for equal rights for the black man in the USA, using non violent means as his main weapon. Other freedom fighters within the African continent, beginning with the legendary Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, fought for the independence of Ghana, eventually rising to become the Prime Minister, at a time that he was still languishing in jail. Others like Nelson Mandela fought a relentless and bloody war for the liberation of the black man in South Africa. Most independence and birth of new dawn in nations have required the blood of freedom fighters to bring about liberation and independence.
Independence is expensive. Unfortunately, many have taken it for granted in our nation today. David had to fight several major wars that involved the massive shedding of the blood of his opponents in order to secure the borders of Israel and to bring peace to his people. Sometimes he lost some of his men, as is regular with every war for both victors and the vanquished. David had the support of God in all his battles both for protection and strategy.
Yet, the idea of David building a temple for God did not receive God’s approval. Reason being that David had fought too much wars and shed too much blood on the earth. God loves David without a doubt, but He didn’t want His name to be associated with the spoils of a man who had shed much blood, not even a man after God’s own heart.
Food for thought: God loves peace and desires man to dwell in peace with his neighbours.
Declaration: But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. (1Chron 22:8)
© Author: Rev Fred Aboe
