4TH JANUARY 2022
MINISTER: DCN. SOLOMON
STANDING FOR GOD WITHOUT COMPROMISE
It is the beginning of a new year and we should be able to exalt ourselves, building on the theme for the year. However, I like us to consider the glory of the Kingdom by considering the exploits God has used our fathers in the faith for as a result of their dedication. We have come to a season when we need to pay attention to our lives and what God has spoken to us.
Irrespective of how much God is using us, we should not forget so soon that there were men God used in the past because they were diligent. Moreover, God has not changed and He is still in the process of using men who are ready to follow His principles. It is high time we learnt how those men were able to do it. That is the only way we can bring God down to the earth.
Unlike our generation, those fathers of faith knew certain things about God and they were able to pass them down to the generations after them. Unfortunately, in this age, everyone is concerned about themselves rather than God. Simply put, glory is expressed in being what God wants you to be. By implication, as we approach God we are transformed from one level of glory to another.
Hebrews 11:6-7 has revealed that it is possible for us to please God in this age just like the fathers of old. Further in verse 31 to 40, the writer of Hebrews gave a list of men that we have as models who subdued kingdoms. If they subdued kingdoms, then we too can.
It is not enough to receive a promise; we need to believe God for it. For instance, when the Israelites were given the promise of the Promised Land, they didn’t enter the land because they were promised; they had to believe God for it. Faith is instrumental in receiving God’s promise. The Israelites had to walk by faith till they entered the Promised Land. Of course, this faith is not something we can muster on our own; we have to keep believing God for it. There is a lot we can do by His help. Everything that we need is in God yet we need to believe Him to access them.
As believers, we have no excuse for not doing the work of God. As a different people, our perspective too must be different from the world’s. Times will come when our faith will be tested and tried. We will only keep standing when we keep running to God through faith. It is by faith that we journey with God as we attain glory even if it means dying just as the fathers of faith died believing God.
A lot can be gleaned from Samuel’s experience in 1 Samuel 2:15-23 and 3:1-5. Despite the pollution in his era, he never misbehaved. In fact, not minding the misdemeanors by Eli’s son, his focus never shifted from God. He kept ministering in God’s presence. The term ministering connotes service and not preaching. His faithfulness in service earned him God’s calling. Even when he was called, he never complained neither did he grumble.
We cannot but experience hostility and disobedience in our world but in the midst of them all, we should remain faithful in serving God. We must stand on our feet and take a decision, else we will compromise our faith. What will be our response in handling things when we find ourselves in hostile and tempting situations? We need to be definite, decisive, disciplined and focused. Keep speaking and standing for God. Let men know that you are for God wherever you find yourself. Be a light. Give direction. Give illumination. God will only be committed to us when we remain committed to Him. God is looking for men through whom He can show Himself strong.
Daniel and his three friends, as another case study, refused to defile themselves despite the opportunity they had to compromise. Daniel 1 narrates how Daniel chosed to stand for His God. We must not forget that our life’s story is being written daily. It is the desire of God for His people to be saved and He wants to use us as vessels to bring people to Him.
Our fathers in faith stood for God even when men despised God and He came for them. We also have to make deliberate efforts to stand for God. David, a man after God’s heart has been constantly fellowshipping with God. That was the only reason he was able to stand before Goliath. When we genuinely engage God, we will gain stature to stand in the midst of challenges and thrive. Hardship will surely come but we have to face it by the spirit of God and we will overcome it by His grace.