By Village Missionary Movement

Saturday, 02-May-2026

Daily Devotion (English) – 02.05.2026

 

The Head-Nodding Doll

 

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” - James 1:22

 

No matter how you shake the nodding dolls that small children play with, they will always nod their heads. Similarly, some people listen to whatever is said to them while constantly nodding in agreement. Just as that doll nods its head the moment it is shaken but then immediately returns to its original motionless state, some people listen but never act on what they hear.

 

In 1 Samuel, Chapter 17, Goliath a Philistine warrior stepped forward before the Israelite army and, for forty days, hurled insults not only at the army of Israel but even at God Himself. Yet, neither the Israelite army nor the King rose to challenge Goliath; instead, for forty long days, they simply stood there and listened. They had nodded in agreement to everything taught to them during their military training, yet on the battlefield facing an enemy warrior they failed to demonstrate any of that training, choosing instead to remain silent. During their training, they had nodded and listened to everything; now, they were merely nodding and listening to the enemy warrior's taunts, but they were taking no action.

 

David, however, was different, the training God gave him enabled him to defeat the lion and the bear that attacked his flock while he was shepherding. Likewise, upon hearing the taunts of the enemy Goliath, he spoke of the training he had to King Saul; then, with zeal and relying on the Lord's assistance, he took decisive action and secured the victory. That victory ultimately became a triumph for the entire nation of Israel. If we fail to put into practice what we have merely "nodded along" to at the very moment it is required, we become nothing more than lifeless dolls; and in that case, everything we have heard becomes utterly useless.

 

Dear All, many Christians today are just like that Israelite army. Both within the church and on social media platforms, people listen to the Word of God with great enthusiasm and agreement. However, they fail to put these teachings into practice in their daily lives. Despite hearing all the counsel God provides for defeating the enemy, they remain passive and inactive. Even the disciples, who walked with Jesus for three and a half years, retreated in fear. God could accomplish nothing through them. Yet, through those who stood firm and boldly declared, "We are witnesses for Jesus," God performed mighty and extraordinary deeds. Let us, too, refuse to be mere "head nodding dolls" who simply nod along; instead, let us transform into active instruments of God. Thus, the Kingdom of God shall be built.

- Bro. David Ganesan

 

Prayer point: 

Please pray for the VBS ministry to be conducted in 8,000 villages.

 

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Village Missionary Movement, 

Virudhunagar, India – 626001

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