Do you yield to God’s way of reaching the unsaved?

 9 Jun 26

Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One

Readings:

2 Chronicles 29

2 Chronicles 30

2 Chronicles 31

John 18:1-23

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear (John 18:10). 

Do you yield to God’s way of reaching the unsaved?

Judas comes with approximately six hundred Roman soldiers to arrest Jesus (John 18:3). Peter boldly steps forward and lops off the right ear of Malchus in defense of his Lord. “So Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?'” (John 18:11). 

Jesus submits to God's will to be crucified. He later tells Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews” (John 18:36). Peter learned his lesson and later preached about “Him [Jesus], being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). 

Employment Point: Submit to God’s will and way to reach the unsaved.

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Reflections

Indeed if His kingdom is truly of this world, all His men will fight. It just reminds me that there may be so much that we do not know and of the future that we therefore should not be too fast to say no way. Only He can guide our steps.

“Hezekiah gave the order to sacrifice the burnt offering on the altar. As the offering began, singing to the Lord began also, accompanied by trumpets and the instruments of David king of Israel. The whole assembly bowed in worship, while the musicians played and the trumpets sounded. All this continued until the sacrifice of the burnt offering was completed.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• I’m really impressed by Hezekiah and all the things, as well as people that he has ordered to do according to what was prescribed. After all that his father has done, we can see how his heart was so different and geared towards the Lord.

“Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭30‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• This again proves to us the Lord is not concerned whether we are clean or unclean. More importantly it is the state of their hearts that the Lord is seeing.

“Hezekiah king of Judah provided a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep and goats for the assembly, and the officials provided them with a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep and goats. A great number of priests consecrated themselves.”2 Chronicles‬ ‭30‬:‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• The people have come a long way. Since the days where they worship other gods right up to this day where they consecrate themselves for the service of the Lord. It must have been such a great sight to witness and for the Lord to be pleased.

“This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.”2 Chronicles‬ ‭31‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• Even reading this whole part about Hezekiah made me feel so joyful. I wonder what made him change his mind and not follow the ways of his parents. This is such a great testimony to be hearing and reading! All praise be to God who raise up leaders who are after the Lord’s hearts. Indeed they should be blessed and prosper.

““I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.” When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.”

‭‭John‬ ‭18‬:‭20‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• people back in those days seemed to like striking people on their faced without even knowing the full story. But all these that are reported, we saw how Jesus reacted. He merely questioned why they had slapped him and there was no hint of anger or bitterness.
• I may not have such grace and such good temper for people but I do wish that I may be able to think, talk and act like Jesus did in all circumstances. Composed, without fear and having the courage to speak the truths

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Then What’s Next To Do?

BY OSWALD CHAMBERS

June 09

Everyone who asks receives… —Luke 11:10

Ask if you have not received. There is nothing more difficult than asking. We will have yearnings and desires for certain things, and even suffer as a result of their going unfulfilled, but not until we are at the limit of desperation will we ask. It is the sense of not being spiritually real that causes us to ask. Have you ever asked out of the depths of your total insufficiency and poverty? “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…” (James 1:5), but be sure that you do lack wisdom before you ask. You cannot bring yourself to the point of spiritual reality anytime you choose. The best thing to do, once you realize you are not spiritually real, is to ask God for the Holy Spirit, basing your request on the promise of Jesus Christ (see Luke 11:13). The Holy Spirit is the one who makes everything that Jesus did for you real in your life.

“Everyone who asks receives….” This does not mean that you will not get if you do not ask, but it means that until you come to the point of asking, you will not receive from God (see Matthew 5:45). To be able to receive means that you have to come into the relationship of a child of God, and then you comprehend and appreciate mentally, morally, and with spiritual understanding, that these things come from God.

“If any of you lacks wisdom….” If you realize that you are lacking, it is because you have come in contact with spiritual reality— do not put the blinders of reason on again. The word ask actually means “beg.” Some people are poor enough to be interested in their poverty, and some of us are poor enough spiritually to show our interest. Yet we will never receive if we ask with a certain result in mind, because we are asking out of our lust, not out of our poverty. A pauper does not ask out of any reason other than the completely hopeless and painful condition of his poverty. He is not ashamed to beg— blessed are the paupers in spirit (see Matthew 5:3).

2 Chronicles 32-33; John 18:19-40

WISDOM FROM OSWALD

We are not to preach the doing of good things; good deeds are not to be preached, they are to be performed.

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Reflections

Were there moments in your life where you have experienced and received blessings as you have asked?

I was being reminded of a few instances where He answered my prayers as I asked and also witnessed to fellow sisters. One of the more memorable one was an event which I had to go with my colleague to the Singapore flyer.

When we exited the MRT station, we realised there was no shelter and it’s about a 10 minutes walk to the event venue. It was slightly drizzling and seemed to be getting bigger. Both of us have no umbrellas with us. However, we both agreed to just step out and walk in the drizzle. I spoke out loud to the Lord looking towards heaven.. “Father can You hold this rain for us till we get to shelter?” Immediately the rain stopped! We hurried our ways to the venue and you won’t believe what happened next.

The moment one of our legs reached the shelter of the event venue, it started to pour! My colleague looked at me in awe because she heard what I asked of God and it was an answered prayer right before her eyes! It was such a jaw dropping moment!

That was one of the moments that reminds me that He hears all our prayers. Big and small. Spoken and unspoken. In fact we have an Abba Father who loves us so much and that He would not mind to grant our wishes but the more important that He yearns for us is to really be one with Him. To know Him and to know His will. 

Let’s pray:

Abba Father we thank You that You hear all our prayers and answers all of that too. It may not be in the ways or manners we wished for but You always chose to give us Your best. Thank You Father for Your love that never cease. To God be the glory! Amen🙌🏻