Parenting with Love

Preparing for and expecting your first child may seem like an overwhelming task but there is hope! Join us over 4 Saturdays and hear from parents who have gone ahead in this parenting journey.

Parent-Child Dedication Class

If you have children below 12yo, join us in discovering the purpose of child-dedication, how to take ownership of discipling your children and learn more about developmental phases of children.

EFCS60 Conference: Opportunities

In conjunction with its 60th Anniversary this year, the EFCS will be holding a one-and-a-half-day Virtual Conference with the theme “Opportunities: Advancing the Church and Missions in a Post-pandemic World” on 22-23 October 2021.

IDMC 2022

Join us in IDMC 2022 where we come to realize — Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else. — but the very first principles of Christianity is rooted in Christ Jesus.

Grow 2 “Living Well” Series: Restoring Your Foundations

Living well requires us to return to our discipleship foundations. So let’s anchor back together on God’s truth!

Gathering of Multitudes

As Covenant Leaders, we gather every year to seek our Lord and His Heart for us. Let us gather, as our Senior Pastors share the prophetic burden with us!

Cultivating Conversations & Emotional Coaching in the Family

Has it been challenging to connect with your primary and secondary school children? Fret not, we are here to journey with you!

IDMCi|One Intro Session

IDMCi|one is a one-year internship to discern God’s leading for the next lap of your life, and to grow in deeper understanding of His Word and greater intimacy with Him.

Daily Devotional Journal

Scripture:
1 Samuel 22:20-23

Sat, 18 September 2021

God’s Church Will Not Die

Observation:

What is the significance of Abiathar’s escape from Saul’s slaughter of the priests?

Deeper Reflection

GOD’S FULFILMENT of His word of judgment on the house of Eli through the unjust and brutal slaughter of the priests by Saul is a divine mystery. Out of this comes another divine mystery: “But one son of Ahimelech… named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David” (v.20). In His judgment on Eli’s house, God preserved one descendant of Eli. Such is the sovereignty of God. And we must peg divine mystery to divine sovereignty. God’s preservation of one priest – albeit a descendant of Eli – out of the massive slaughter points to a divine principle: God always insistently preserves His people in the midst of destruction. The narrator shows the sharp contrast in Saul and David’s treatment of the priests to underscore this divine principle. To Ahimelech, Saul said, “You shall surely die” (1 Sam 22:16); to Abiathar, David said, “You are safe with me” (v.23). The priests of God were destroyed, but not completely. “The people of God may often be put down, but never put out. Abiathar’s escape does not mean that all God’s servants are immune from the world’s butchery, but that the world’s butchery can never wipe out all of God’s servants. The Lord does not promise that we will not die for the Kingdom of God, but the Kingdom of God will never die.”³⁴ Jesus has made His commitment and promise that His Church will not die: “I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matt 16:18).

³⁴ Dale Ralph Davis, 232

Application:

What does it mean for me that the Church of God will not die?

Prayer:

Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers:

Give thanks and praise:
For Church Board: To see the church as God’s Church that will not die
Pray for significant people:
Pray for those in need:
Pray for self:

Daily Devotional Journal

God’s Church Will Not Die

34 Dale Ralph Davis, 232

³⁴ Dale Ralph Davis, 232