OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL(RCCG)
DATE: FRIDAY 8TH FEBRUARY 2019
TOPIC: WEAK VESSELS
MEMORISE:
And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith. Judges 15:15
READ: 1 Samuel 17:38-50
MESSAGE
In Daniel 12:4, the Holy Spirit reveals that as the end of the world approaches, knowledge will greatly increase, and indeed, the world has witnessed an unprecedented increase in knowledge, particularly in the last two decades.
Knowledge made available through studies in humanities, science and technology has become so advanced that human capacity for discovery, creativity and invention is at its highest level in history. If knowledge is power, then increased knowledge is a weapon that is highly desirable for achieving results and for doing exploits. Consequently, secular and Christian individuals and organizations now favor intellectual knowledge and advanced strategies and methods as the means for achieving success in life and ministry, and place a premium on those who are strong in this area.
However, God in His infinite wisdom seems to prefer the use of weak and ordinary vessels in achieving His divine purpose. Just imagine what He accomplished with ordinary vessels like the aged Abraham, Moses the murderer, Joseph the slave and prisoner, Rehab the harlot, Samson the one-man army, Samuel the little boy, Ruth the poor widow, Esther the orphan in captivity, David the forgotten shepherd boy, Joseph the carpenter, Mary the ordinary village girl, the disciples who were mostly uneducated fishermen, and a host of orders. 1 Corinthians 1: 26-28 affirms that not many wise people from human perspective, not many powerful people, and not many people of noble birth are called of God to accomplish purpose; but rather, God chooses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, and He uses the weak things to amaze the mighty ones. Are you despised and considered inconsequential in the scheme of things? Does the world see you as weak or foolish? I have good news for you: you are a candidate for God’s use.
Why does God prefer to use weak vessels? It’s because He does not want anyone to boast in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:29). He does not want His mighty deeds attributed to human ability. His awesome feats done through weak vessels are indeed astounding. Today’s memory verse tells how Samson the untrained civilian used the jawbone of a donkey to kill a thousand armed philistine soldiers. 1 Samuel 17:50 records David the shepherd boy’s victory over Goliath with just a sling and a stone. Joshua 6:20 recounts how the wall of Jericho, which would have taken several days of serious work for bulldozers to demolish, fell down flat at the sound of a great noise from God’s people. God wants our faith to stand in Him and not in the wisdom of men. While knowledge is good, only faith in God through Jesus Christ can result in supernatural and malicious advancements.
KEY POINT:
God only uses vessels He can fill. Are you full of your own wisdom?
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 1-2
Isaiah 35:1-36:3
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE