DCLM Daily Manna – Don’t Be A Collateral Victim

Friday, July 24, 2026

KEY VERSE
“Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east” (Joshua 12:1).

Bible Reading:
Joshua 12:1-6 (KJV)

1 Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:
2 Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon;
3 And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea on the east, the way to Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah:
4 And the coast of Og king of Bashan, which was of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,
5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
6 Them did Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel smite: and Moses the servant of the LORD gave it for a possession unto the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.

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MESSAGE

There are people who sleep walk into disaster, through either arrogance, pride or sheer hubris. It may be that they had recorded successes in previous battles, or have become famous for their accomplishments. They may deem themselves to be invincible, and either declare a war that’s totally unnecessary, or inject themselves into other people’s battles. In the end, they become the victims of their ego and exaggerated sense of power and importance.

This is what happened to the kings of the nations on the east of River Jordan. The children of Israel were on a journey ordered by the Almighty God. They were heading to the land of Canaan, in fulfilment of the promise God made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Their land was not part of Canaan, and therefore, was not intended to be inherited by the Israelites. The inheritance of the Israelites was to be solely Canaan, the land flowing with milk and honey. But on their way, the Israelites encountered nations that had heard about the supernatural work of God in bringing them out of Egypt. Although The Israelites did not declare war against them, these nations, some out of unfounded fear of losing their territory, and others out of envy and hatred against this nation that had a God that can subdue, humble and defeat Egypt, the great world power of the time, took it on themselves to stop Israel from progressing towards their land of promise. One of such kings was Sihon, king of the Amorites, whose nation was mainly a lush vegetation sandwiched by rivers and plain land that was a haven for pastoralists and for other forms of agriculture. The other king was Og, king of Bashan, a land of the remnants of the giants, with similar topography as the land of the Amorites. When they rose against the Israelites, they were roundly defeated, their kingdoms destroyed and their land confiscated by Moses. He subsequently allocated the land to two and half tribes of Israel, which desired to settle there because it was suitable for their vocation as pastoralists. Had those nations stayed out of the way of the Israelites, they would have remained in their land.

We must be wise and not take on battles that are not ours, whether out of sympathy with other people or to prove that we are powerful. As believers, we have more than enough battle against principalities and powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places, against sin and Satan. The armour Christ has given us is intended to defeat these adversaries. It is not to be wasted in self-imposed battles that do not benefit the kingdom of God. Those who engage in the wrong battles suffer great loss, and live to regret it for the rest of their lives. Let us focus on the assignment Christ has given us, namely, taking the gospel to the world of sinners, and endeavouring to bring as many as are willing, into the kingdom of God.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Those who fight battles without profit, reap rewards without benefits

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BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Exodus 26-29

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COMMENTARY

1. The Danger of Unnecessary Battles – The kings of Sihon and Og attacked Israel out of fear and arrogance, even though Israel had no claim to their land. They injected themselves into a conflict that was not directed at them, and as a result, they lost everything. This warns believers against fighting battles that are not their own—whether out of pride, envy, or misplaced sympathy.

2. The Trap of Pride and Hubris – The devotional identifies pride as the root of many unnecessary conflicts. Like these kings, people often attack others to prove their power or protect their reputation. However, pride leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Believers must remain humble and discerning, choosing battles that align with God’s purposes.

3. The Focus of Spiritual Warfare – The devotional reminds us that our real battle is against “principalities and powers… spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). The armour of God is for defeating sin, Satan, and the forces of darkness—not for personal vendettas, ego-driven conflicts, or worldly disputes. Wasting our spiritual resources on wrong battles leaves us vulnerable and unproductive.

4. The Central Mission: The Gospel – The devotional emphasizes that our primary assignment is the Great Commission—taking the gospel to the world and bringing souls into God’s kingdom. When we engage in battles that do not advance this mission, we suffer loss. Every believer must evaluate whether their efforts align with God’s kingdom purposes.

5. The DCLM Ministry’s Focus on Kingdom Priorities – The Deeper Christian Life Ministry is committed to evangelism and discipleship. Pastor Kumuyi teaches that believers must be intentional about their battles, focusing on what truly matters for eternity. The Daily Manna devotional calls readers to examine their lives and ensure they are not wasting time and energy on conflicts that do not advance God’s work.

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About DCLM and Daily Manna

The Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) was founded in 1973 by Pastor Dr. W.F. Kumuyi. From a small Bible study of 15 students in Lagos, it has grown into a global ministry with churches across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond. The ministry emphasizes holiness, prayer, Bible study, and strategic engagement in spiritual warfare.

DCLM Daily Manna is a daily devotional written by Pastor Kumuyi. Each edition provides Scripture reading, exposition, and practical application to guide believers in their daily walk with God. The devotional consistently calls readers to focus on eternal priorities.

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Prayer Reflection
Lord, give me wisdom to discern the battles You want me to fight. Keep me from pride and unnecessary conflicts. Help me to focus my energy on the Great Commission—preaching the gospel and building Your kingdom. May I not waste my spiritual resources on battles that do not profit Your work. In Jesus’ name. Amen.