Judges 9: 7-21
Bramble said unto the trees, if in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow (Judges 9:15).

Know your worth. Know what you have been called and anointed to do and stick to it. Do not over or  under-estimate yourself. No matter what you have been called to do, you are valuable and important.

Jotham, the only surviving son of Gideon, following the  gruesome murder of his brothers by Abimelech, focused our attention on this truth in the parable we read. He told the men of Shechem that each of the trees in the forest knew their worth and importance and chose to stay in the place of their  assignment. However, it seems as if men who were supposed to know better did not.

The second thing you will notice from today’s passage are the prophetic words Jotham gave concerning what would happen to the relationship between Abimelech and his mother’s people. This word came to pass because God does not tolerate nor honour injustice.

Although it took three years, God finally got a man who would do the job of putting an end to Abimelech – Gaal, son of Ebed. The rest was history as God stirred them up against each other and he honoured Jotham’s words as they helped to destroy one another.

We cannot predict the extent disagreements and conflicts in families, churches or workplace could go. Better to pursue peace than to seek redress when the fire of strife has been set off.

Your Turn

• Pray for situations that are in conflict that the Lord will bring to your attention today.
• Pray for peace in your city. Pray for an end to communal or national conflicts you are aware of.

Song: Lord, make us instruments of your peace.

Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 27