GOD SPEAKS

And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.Mark 10: 44

Who is great among us ? Disciples had this issue. Whosoever wants to be the chiefest among the people is concentrating on himself. He gives importance to “I” than anything else.In the ministry of the Lord, if someone wants to be chiefest, does not it mean he is projecting himself to the people rather than glorifying God among the men? Is the Lord’s service for showing our skills and seeking praises from others? The Bible says For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.John 12: 43. Which has more value -priases from the Lord or men? Receiving good report from the Lord lifts you up to next steps of your ministry or anything else. Read this verse- His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.Matthew 25: 21. Whosoever receives His certification and praise will move him up with more talents and blessings. Praises from men profits you nothing.

Moreover, is it not whosoever wants to be the chiefest and having a desire to be identified by the people stealing the glory of the Lord? Satan desired for the same. The Bible says Satan thought this within himself -I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.Isaiah 14: 14. What kind of desire is this? Does not it mean Satan wants to steal the glory of the Lord. ? Only God is to be glorified.You and I can never take the place of God. The desire to be the chiefest is stealing His glory as whatever miracles, healings etc.,, happened is from the Lord but not from your greatness. The Bible also says Thou shalt not steal.Exodus 20: 15. This scripture also applicable to stealing from God. Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.Malachi 3: 8. If those who are not giving tithes and offerings robbing God, how much more it is stealing His glory?Thus, stealing His glory is sin as it is disobedience to His command( Thou shall not steal). Concentrating on “I” than on Christ is simply an imitation of the first sin committed by satan.

Further, the Bible says -The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.Matthew 10: 24. Therefore we are under Him. We are mere servants to the Lord. We must learn to say- So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.Luke 17: 10

Read this verse -A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.Proverbs 29: 23. From where shall this honour come to us? This honour is from the Lord. Have this desire to receive His honor as the praises from men is of no use. The same tongue of man who praised you yesterday may defame you tomorrow. People may praise you but never forget to glorify the Lord who gave this opportunity.

And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.Acts 12: 21-24. Forgetting to glorify Him will be equivalent to seeking glory from men and thereby stealing His glory.

A man cannot be a servant until he humbles himself. God loves people of humble spirit. But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.James 4:6 Proud wants to be the chiefest whereas a servant knows that he has done what he is supposed to do and remembers his master is the Lord who is observing this. His honour is from the Lord. He knows His lord will say unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant. What is more required than this honour from the Lord?

Therefore, let the Christ live in you who is worthy to be praised as He laid down His life on the Cross. As St Paul said -I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: Galatians 2: 20. If Christ lives in you, you are no more. If you are no more, there is no question of desiring to be identified and be the chiefest among the people. If Christ lives in you, you will never prefer to be the chiefest.Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.Matthew 18: 4

There is fear of future ruling in many people. What will happen tomorrow and how it will affect my life is an uncertainty. This could be one of the reasons all want to know their future in advance. Disciples also asked our Lord- When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power Acts 1:6-7. Our Lord told them that times and seasons are in the control of the Father.

Though some times, the question of future may not belong to us but still the anxiety to know future rules in our minds. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following ; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee ? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do ? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee ? follow thou me. John 21:20-22. See how our Lord replied Peter. Lord Servant Peter was concerned about the future of the disciple John whom Jesus loved so much. Our Lord gave reply but at the same time, he asked –what is that to thee? Knowing future of others is not our concern. He only told him to follow me.

This uncertainty about future always troubles us. Some happenings in future will really distress us. Read this verse- And David was greatly distressed ; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters : but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. 1 Samuel 30:5.  David lost Ziklag . All those who came with him saw their city burned and lost their families thought to stone him. Did not God choose David to be his king? Why such thing happened?  Most of us think- why would such a loss happen in my life? If God be there, why should I have this disease?   Your may read the following two verses from the Bible –

(1) He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble ; I will deliver him, and honor him. Psalms 91:15.   What does this verse says? Does not it mean God is also with you in your troubles? Does not it mean, though your future is not told in advance, He is there for you to help and deliver you from all your troubles?  If troubles do not come in future, does it have any meaning in his promise – I will be with him in trouble?

(2) For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord Jeremiah 30: 17.  What does Bible say – Does not it mean that He can restore even your health? If there is no need for healing to his people in future, why do God say it in advance that –I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds?

Worrying about future and knowing things of future in advance does not make any difference. Remember his promises given for you. God can revive, restore and reconstruct everything in your life.

The Bible says -He shall call upon me, and I will answer him. This was what exactly David did when he was distressed. And David inquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop ? shall I overtake them ? And he answered him, Pursue : for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. 1 Samuel 30:8.  Learn how He could restore your loss. Put all your trust on the Lord. Do never lean on your own understanding or on your strength. David was a valiant man who killed Goliath. But he did not think to use this as his confidence for moving against the troops. David inquired at the Lord.  Receiving his word strengthens your faith in all circumstances. Look at this verse –And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. Matthew 15:28-29. Observe the conversation. Peter asked the Lord for His command to walk on the water. After receiving the word, St Peter was able to walk on the water.

Therefore, learn to bring all your current (not future) problems things before Him. Practice inquiring at the Lord. Have answers from HIM for all your troubles who promised to be with us in our troubles.

From the above, it is told us- (1) times and seasons are in His control (2) Knowing the future of others is irrelevant to us (3) Though the future is not in favor to us, only thing he asked us to do is – Follow Him . (John 21:20-22) and Call Him in our troubles (Psalms 91:15) Remember His promise -But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:30. If hairs of your head are numbered, does not it tell how much more He cares for you both in present and future?  (4) Above all, inquiring at the Lord is the remedy for all your fears of future.