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Not My People |
| "As
he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my
people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass,
that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my
people; there shall they be called the children of the living God"
(Romans 9:25-26 AV).
We also read in Isaiah
"Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am
a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean
lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts" (Isaiah
6:5 AV).
Isaiah the prophet who brought to us the suffering servant and had so
much given by God to reveal to us in his writings about the coming Messiah
fell before God, prostrated by his own uncleanness in comparison to the
Holy God we serve. How dare then those of these latter days think
themselves better than this called and proven servant of God? Why is it we
constantly hear people say they want to grow closer to God, and yet
declare their own holiness before man and walk with an arrogance the
prophets would not, as if God were a respecter of any man? Our Lord picked
up cloth and water not to anoint or wash the more comely parts of His
followers, but the less desirable part, He washed their feet. How dare we
then consider ourselves the follower of Christ when we have washed no feet
so to speak? Where do we get off considering ourselves holy, righteous, a
religious person with no proof of our servanthood to be found?
Do we not all cry out to God to take and use us in His kingdom? Is not
the eternal kingdom that place we all labor, in hope of its soon coming?
Do not many spend their lives seeking their place in the kingdom and by
many devices creating their own ministry in His name in an attempt to be
used of God? If it is true that God has a place for all of His children,
and has given the gifts necessary for His children to accomplish that task
do so few seem to have a firm grip on what God has given them by way of
gifts, and what it is they should be doing?
How much of your personal devotional time is spent seeking God’s will
for your life? Is it considerable and do you find yourself frustrated
because God is not manifest and tangible in providing the answers to these
prayers? Take heed and turn that frustration to fruitful labor in the
kingdom of the Living God.
First consider that as fallen man, those outside the kingdom, and
called not a people by God and His chosen ones, are now in Christ a people
and beloved of God. Nothing new here at all for it is crystal clear from
Scripture that this was the intent of God from the beginning, and that He
who began it all has also declared ahead of time the end of it all. Before
the foundation of the earth God knew and loved me, had a place and a
purpose in His eternal plan for such a wretch as I.
Think of every person you have ever met in your whole life. Which of
these have you labeled as "not my people?" Which of these would
you refuse to serve in the way you would consider the most demeaning? So
you have treated our Lord! "
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my
brethren, ye have done it unto me"
(Matthew 25:40 AV). Having so treated the King of
Glory, how dare we expect Him to take and use such as we in the
furtherance of His kingdom? I ask you, where is that mark of election
stamped on the next person you meet? Will you recognize an angel of God if
he came to visit with you? Scripture seems to say otherwise, and that many
because of the meek and servant attitude they have, have entertained
angels unawares (Heb 13:12).
I have continually in this series tried to teach the principle that God
only blesses us, that we might be a blessing. Honestly ask yourself, if
God brought prosperity to me and suddenly I found myself rich, would I use
this wealth to profit God’s kingdom? To a person we will say yes I
think. However, why is it that almost no one in the church gives an honest
tithe from their present blessing? Such an attitude of self first, and
only giving from an abundance was cause for over 400 years of silence from
God toward mankind (Malachi).
Why is it we don’t see that just to have a home, car, food, any
"extra" money is a great blessing and evidence of God’s grace
given? When we look at those rich in the things of the world why do we
consider those of much to be blessed, and those of little "not a
people?" To a person we will say this does not apply to us. The real
question we must ask of self, is this really true? It is hard to deal with
such questions honestly, but such we must do if we are to find our place
in God’s will and receive of the abundance of the blessings He has for
us.
What is the worst thing that ever happened to you? Did you thank God
for the trail and praise Him from the depths of that pit? This will be the
most difficult thing you ever do in your Christian walk. But such praise
from the pit is testimony of your trust in God, not only to self, but
those around you. From this place of praise, you will find the pit isn’t
quite as deep and dark as it appears, and that the hope within is real,
that God is manifest, tangible, not from the mountain top of glory, but
with you where you dwell. "For
thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is
Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is
of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and
to revive the heart of the contrite ones" (Isaiah 57:15 AV).
Even after having read such as this, most of us have not learned this
lesson. Take up pen and as we approach Thanksgiving this year, write down
the things that you are truly thankful for. Does this list say daily
bread, that is the most basic of those things we consider necessary for
life? There are those not so blessed. We say the words, but are they in
our heart? Have you thanked God and gave Him praise for the grace shown in
your latest trial? Have you shared how God was with you in this situation?
Have you offered a mere glass of water to a stranger? Are you sharing
God’s blessings?
Why is it you suppose that the church must continually "beg"
God’s people to provide for His house? Why do we need stewardship
programs that have people make a pledge to give so much each year? Can we
be God’s people and not give to the causes of God liberally with never a
rearward glance because we KNOW, God will provide for us? It would seem
that those of us who were not a people, but now are the beloved of God
would so remember our poverty and reach out to share the blessing
continually, that first we might be used of God, but also that we might
receive of God, because we have freely shared of that which has already
been given. It is thus we must give from our need, and share the blessings
of our tribulations, that God alone might receive the honor and glory.
Where we are weak He is strong, and from the lesser things He ordains
strength and power. "They
shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another
eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine
elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands"
(Isaiah 65:22 AV). This is the proof of the pudding
so to speak. God shall be with us, and the destroyer shall not devour the
fruit of our labors.
Dear Father of all, grant me the grace to see your hand in all my
circumstances, that I might not only praise thee in the midst of the
congregation, but from the pit of darkness Thou hast gracefully bestowed
that I might have life and that more abundant. AMEN
By: Dr. Chuck Baynard |
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