DCLM Daily Manna 19 April 2026 — Power Abuse

DCLM Daily Manna 19 April 2026 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Power Abuse

TOPIC: Power Abuse (DCLM Daily Manna 19 April 2026)

KEY VERSE: Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins – 1 Kings 16:2

TEXT: 1 Kings 16:1-7 (KJV)

1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,

2 Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins;

3 Behold, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his house; and will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

4 Him that dieth of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth of his in the fields shall the fowls of the air eat.

5 Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

6 So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son reigned in his stead.

7 And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the Lord against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him.

DCLM Daily Manna For Today MESSAGE:

Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s Founding Fathers, who served as the first US Secretary of the Treasury, observed that “A fondness for power is implanted in most men, and it is natural to abuse it when acquired”. Today, many nations are grappling with challenges posed by the abuse of office, especially by public officeholders. Even the post-tenure probe, which has become traditional in many countries, has not deterred many from stealing public funds and commiting many acts of impunity. This is only a reflection of the depravity of man.

Baasha ruled Israel for over two decades. Even though he came to power through a coup that saw him kill his predecessor, it was God’s providence that permitted him to stay on. Yet he could not learn from history that “It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness”. He was not only wicked, but like Jeroboam, he led Israel to sin and to provoke the Holy One to anger with their iniquities.

God was particularly pained by the fact that Baasha was exalted “out of the dust”. He was most unworthy to be king in Israel and therefore should have been humbled by the significant office he was privileged to occupy. Instead, he became full of himself and waxed gross in wickedness. When the wicked mount the throne, the people are doomed. The throne of unrighteousness can only succeed in multiplying unrighteousness in the land. For this abuse, the Lord passed a fearful judgment upon Baasha and his posterity (verses 3 and 4).

As you reflect on the reign – and ruin – of Baasha this day, consider also how the Lord has elevated you to some position of influence. How much value have you added? Do you glorify the Lord with the privileges and opportunities given to you? You abuse authority when you act with impunity and leverage your privileged position to trample on or take advantage of others, or divert official items to personal property. You can avoid ending disastrously like Baasha if you will prayerfully resolve to walk only in the path of humility and righteousness.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Power intoxication made angels fall.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Psalms 105-106

Deeper Life Daily Manna For Today 2025 was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.