WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
OCTOBER 06, 2025
TOPIC: FULFIL YOUR DIVINE ASSIGNMENT
BY T. O. BANSO
“And say to Archippus, ‘Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it’” (Colossians 4:17 New King James Version).
The book of Judges focuses on the people God called to judge the nation of Israel. But the Bible says nothing about how they judged Israel and, in some cases, emphasizes things that make one wonder if their tenures were meaningful or significant. Rather than providing details about how they judged the people of Israel, the Bible gives us information not related to their assignment as judges. It is unclear what is responsible for this.
Tola, the son of Puah, judged Israel for twenty-three years, but the Bible says nothing about his rule. His twenty-three-year rule is recorded in just two verses: “After Abimelech there arose to save Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in the mountains of Ephraim. He judged Israel twenty-three years; and he died and was buried in Shamir” (Judges 10:1-2 New King James Version). There is no information on how Tola judged the Israelites.
After Tola, the Bible says Jair, a Gileadite, judged Israel for twenty-two years. Again, the Bible says nothing about how he judged the people. There is no information on what the man did for twenty-two years. The Bible only says, “After him arose Jair, a Gileadite; and he judged Israel twenty-two years. Now he had thirty sons who rode on thirty donkeys; they also had thirty towns, which are called ‘Havoth Jair’ to this day, which are in the land of Gilead. And Jair died and was buried in Camon” (Judges 10:3-5 New King James Version).
The only information about this judge is that he had thirty sons, who rode around on thirty donkeys and owned thirty towns! Could it be that the only significant achievement of this judge was that he had thirty sons, who flaunted their father’s wealth, riding on donkeys? Yet, he was in power for twenty-two years. Did he spend his thirty-two years as a judge producing children?
Ibzan was also a judge in Israel. However, the only record about him in the Bible is that he had sixty children – thirty males and thirty females. He sent his thirty daughters abroad and married thirty wives for his thirty sons. Again, the Bible says nothing about the assignment God gave him as a judge in Israel. Judges 12:8-10 says, “After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel. He had thirty sons. And he gave away thirty daughters in marriage, and brought in thirty daughters from elsewhere for his sons. He judged Israel seven years. Then Ibzan died and was buried at Bethlehem” (New King James Version).
What did Ibzan do as a judge? The Bible says nothing about it. Could it be that the most significant thing about his seven-year rule was the marriages of his children? The Bible does not specify how many of these children Ibzan had after he became a judge. With sixty children, how was he able to fulfil his divine assignment of judging Israel? But the Bible is silent on his activities as a judge.
Elon was also a judge in Israel. Nothing is said about him, either good or bad, except that he led Israel for ten years. In fact, only two sentences are devoted to this man who judged Israel for ten years. Judges 12:11-12 says, “After him, Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel. He judged Israel ten years. And Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried at Aijalon in the country of Zebulun” (New King James Version). The Bible does not say the type of life he lived or say anything significant about him.
Abdon, an Ephraimite, judged Israel for eight years. Again, the Bibe says nothing concerning the assignment God gave him. The Bible only talks about what his 40 sons and 30 grandsons did. Abdon’s 40 sons and 30 grandsons rode on seventy donkeys – the luxury cars of their day. Judges 12:13-15 says, “After him, Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel. He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy young donkeys. He judged Israel eight years. Then Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mountains of the Amalekites” (New King James Version). The Bible doesn’t specify how many of these children Abdon had before he became a judge. It was good that he got donkeys for his sons and grandsons, but what about God’s assignment for him?
This devotional is not a verdict on the lives of the judges mentioned, but a curious observation on the absence of any information on their assignment as judges. Children, material possessions, and so on become vanity when destiny is not discovered, pursued, and fulfilled. A life full of things but devoid of pursuit and fulfilment of purpose is useless. What is the value or worth of your life? Your valuables don’t determine your actual value. Is your life’s worth in terms of material acquisition and worldly attainment? Your life is worth more than things. Paul said, “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God” (Acts 20:24 New Living Translation).
Your life is worth nothing unless you live it to fulfil the purpose for which God created you. It does not mean that you must become a pastor (though God expects everyone to be born again and win souls). God has a purpose for each person, and it varies from individual to individual. Therefore, discover your own and devote your entire life to fulfilling it.
You’re not here on earth to procreate or produce children. You must discover and fulfil the purpose of God for your life. Whatever purpose God has called you to fulfil, make full proof of it – complete it. Do not be slack; do not lose your focus. Having children is exciting. If you are still looking up to God for your own children, I pray that the Lord will answer your prayer this season. You will soon become a joyful parent.
However, every parent must go beyond having children. Do not live only to give birth to children; live to fulfil your divine purpose. That does not mean you should neglect your family.
There is more to you than being a husband or a wife, or a father or a mother. Your children will one day leave you to start their own families. I pray that you will not let your family down. I also pray you’ll live a meaningful and impactful life. You will live a life of significance in Jesus’ name.
Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth” (Mark 1:38 New King James Version). Note of the phrase “for this purpose, I have come forth.” He knew the purpose for which He came to earth and would not allow any distraction or delay.
It’s essential to understand your purpose and dedicate yourself to fulfilling it. This is not limited to the gospel ministry. God is the Source and Originator of everyone’s destiny. Therefore, if you haven’t discovered your purpose in life, pray and enquire from God.
Prayerfully discover what God has called you to do and fulfil it. Paul told Timothy: “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5 New King James Version).
In Colossians 4:17, Paul gave a similar counsel to Archippus, his fellow soldier (Philemon 2), who held an official position in the church at Colosse: “And say to Archippus, ‘Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it’” (Colossians 4:17 New King James Version). Fulfil your divine assignment.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you must give your heart to Jesus now. Please take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your heart. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There, they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I invite Jesus into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Holy Spirit, help me to discover, pursue, and fulfil my divine assignment. I shall not lose focus in life; I shall not abandon Your purpose for my life.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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