Thursday
A REPENTANT DOES NOT HOLD AN EGO.
It seems that Nineveh was the symbol of the earthly power, security, richness, and might. They had one of the greatest army of the day. They had the best merchants and merchandise. They achieved everything that man could achieve in that day. They had a great trust in themselves and what they had achieved. They were, now, trusting in themselves, their power and glory. But the Lord say: “Behold Nineveh, I am against you”. I’m against your power and your numbers; I’m against your walls and your soldiers; I’m against your cities and your king.”
It seems that Nineveh was the symbol of the earthly power, security, richness, and might. They had one of the greatest army of the day. They had the best merchants and merchandise. They achieved everything that man could achieve in that day. They had a great trust in themselves and what they had achieved. They were, now, trusting in themselves, their power and glory. But the Lord say: “Behold Nineveh, I am against you”. I’m against your power and your numbers; I’m against your walls and your soldiers; I’m against your cities and your king.”
In this world we are so much thought to be motivated for achievement and success. Individuals work hard to get what the world offers them. They work hard to earn their security, success and happiness. They also look for others for approval and affirmation. Most of the time those achievements and successes that we get through our own work and approval of the others, draw us away from the Lord. We look at marriages, parenting, church planting, mission, pastoring or any other spiritual work, even the relationship with God from the same perspective: are they successful or failure.
However, SELF, our egos, can be the greatest enemy of mankind. It’s a false god. It’s a god that created in the Garden of Aden by despising God’s word. Adam and Eve gave themselves to the SELFS that created in there by Satan. It destroyed them, their relationship with one another; their relationship with God; and their relationship with the earth.
However, God offers another way that we can have both a life in Christ and achievement and success in this world. In Matthew 6:31-34, Jesus says: “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ … For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things…”
This is God’s way of success and achievement. For Him, our achievement is not in the things of this world, but how much we follow His Lordship. It’s not in how successful our marriage is but how much our marriage glorifies Him. It’s not in how good parents we are, but in how much we seek to please and glorify Him as family. It’s not in how big our ministry is but how much we serve Him. It’s not in how well we preach but in how much the Spirit confirms with power.
Our EGOS are noting. But the world tells us that they are everything. If we believe in what the world tells us we find ourselves wrestling with the world and try to get approval from others by our “doings.” If we let our EGOS be our god, it will destroy us. It’ll destroy our relationships with the creator God, our relationships with others, and our relationship with the earth.
Let us repent if we are one of those who works for the self fulfillment, self achievement, and self glory. And humble ourselves before God. Let us acknowledge that He is the only one to deserve to be glorified, worshiped and admired. Let’s acknowledge that His ways are the best ways. And though Him we can have our souls satisfied only. 2Pet 1:3 says “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness …”
This is what Psalm 91 says:
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Not of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, And the thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Not of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, And the thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”
Amen and Amen!
Pastor Ali Kalkandelen
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1 comment:
And Amen! Pastor Ali, thank you for your teaching this week. It has been not only convicting, but also, encouraging. I look forward to tomorrow's post.
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