Bible Reading: Proverbs 31: 1-31
“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink” – Proverbs 31:4(KJV).
What a waste of energy! What a waste of time! What an unattained destiny! It is surprising to see those, for whom Christ died, throwing away their highly esteemed position which God has given them. Do you realize that you have been made king and priest? “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be the glory and dominion for ever and ever” – Rev. 1:6(KJV). Forgetting this reality has made a good number to start feasting on the forbidden altar with the enemy of their souls. Many have completely missed the godly counsel given by their mother, which was meant to give them a place in the society, and as a result became a waste to their generation.
Lemuel means “belonging to God”. The role of his mother depicts the role of a mother in the formation of a child’s character. Our society is suffering today because both mother and father are not available to inculcate godly virtues into the life of their children and this has a lot of effects in the entire world. The mother of Lemuel did not mince word in giving her some of the vices that he needed to run away from if he would make something out of his life.
The woman advises his son not to give himself to drinking because if he does, he will forget the law, and thus, pervert justice which is meant to be given to the afflicted. She goes further to say that strong drink is meant to be given to those who want to perish. Do you want to perish? I guess you don’t. Rather, you want God to deliver you to the utmost. You are encouraged to know, therefore, that for you to constantly maintain the position that God has given to you there is need to consciously desist from many things that God kicks against.
This advice is pertinent to Christians whom the bible refers to as belonging to a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). The bible further declares in Revelation 5:10(KJV) “And hast made us unto our God kings and priest: and we shall reign on the earth.” Are you a king? Then, know that you cannot do like every other person. As a Christian you are expected to manifest the dignity of kingship. A king must have a domain that is referred to as kingdom. Those around you are entrusted in your hand to represent them as their priest before God and you have dominion over your territory. Forces of evil must recognize your domain with an ‘out of bounds’ sign properly installed and obeyed. No evil force is expected to enter your domain and take captive people under your territory. You cannot exercise such kingship authority and priestly role if you are operating from the forbidden altar of recklessness and drunkenness. It is on this premises that the writer of proverbs 31 stated that it is not for kings to drink wine or for princes strong drinks. Christ died to enthrone you. So live it out in your attitude.
Prayer: My Father and my God, help me not to forget my identity in Christ as I go on with my daily activities in Jesus name.
Rev. Julius Oluwole