May 30 I Tuesday

2 Chronicles 10-12

John 11:30-57

 

 

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…”   —Acts 1:8

 

God’s strategy in this world has always been through people. As it is for many Christians, their searching may have been motivated through brokenness or trying circumstances, but there was some kind of human element involved to bring them to Christ. It may have been a book they read, a form of artistry that inspired them, a sermon they heard, a family member, friend, pastor or co-worker. There is always a human agent God uses in our seeking Him.

       As Christians, our task is to convey the message of God’s love, salvation and reconciliation. Sadly, many Christians are intimidated by this. They are hesitant, reluctant or altogether unwilling, because they feel inadequate or ill-equipped and worry what others will think of them. They may even be afraid of offending or alienating someone. What we need to realize is that our witness for Christ depends on Christ. He said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” This is the power of Christ Himself, and in a committed relationship with Him, we grow sensitive to His voice and to His leading. He puts us in the right place at the right time with opportunity to speak to those whose hearts He is preparing.

       Age, status, backgrounds, environments, weaknesses, failures, intelligence and abilities are all irrelevant to God. Abraham was 75 years old; the prophet Samuel a young boy; Mary, the mother of Jesus, a teenage girl; Mary Magdalene possessed by seven demons; Moses and the Apostle Paul highly educated; David a shepherd boy; Amos a farmer; and the disciples of Christ uneducated fishermen, a tax collector, political zealots—all were vulnerable men! Somewhere in Scripture we will find a parallel to ourselves.

       Our weaknesses and failures are actually of benefit in our witness for Christ, partly because our hearers may find us more sympathetic, but we are also likely to be far more dependent on God than the person who is confident and has it all worked out. We are not the ones who bring people into relationship with God. That is the work of the Holy Spirit, but we are the vessels God uses to explain the way. Though we may not receive the response we would like, we will have planted the seed which the Holy Spirit will spring to life in His timing.

       God is not looking for better techniques or methods. In the opening line of the book Power Through Prayer, E. M. Bounds says, “Men are looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.” It is everyday people God is looking for—men and women who trust Him, make themselves available to Him and have His agenda at heart.

Prayer: Lord, help me to overcome any hesitancy I have in witnessing for You. Make me sensitive to your voice and your leading, so that I may bear fruit for You. Thank You, Lord.


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