SCRIPTURE: Psalm 16:4 (TM)
Don't just go shopping for
a god. Gods are not for sale. I swear I'll never treat god-names like
brand-names.
STORY:
Faith
honors God and God honors faith! A story from the life of missionaries Robert
and Mary Moffat illustrates this truth. For 10 years this couple labored
faithfully in Bechuanaland (now called Botswana) without one ray of
encouragement to brighten their way. They could not report a single convert.
Finally the directors of their mission board began to question the wisdom of
continuing the work. The thought of leaving their post, however, brought great
grief to this devoted couple, for they felt sure that God was in their labors,
and that they would see people turn to Christ in due season. They stayed; and
for a year or two longer, darkness reigned. Then one day a friend in England
sent word to the Moffats that she wanted to mail them a gift and asked what
they would like. Trusting that in time the Lord would bless their work, Mrs.
Moffat replied, "Send us a communion set; I am sure it will soon be
needed." God honored that dear woman's faith. The Holy Spirit moved upon
the hearts of the villagers, and soon a little group of six converts was united
to form the first Christian church in that land. The communion set from England
was delayed in the mail; but on the very day before the first commemoration of
the Lord's super in Bechuanaland, the set arrived.
OBSERVATION:
What a huge challenge this
is… being a faithful witness, especially when nothing seems to be going right
with little signs that anything significant is going to happen. But God expects
us to be faithful in our commitment and the success is his on his terms in his
time at his direction.
We are God-success shoppers…
always looking for this angle or that. We are success driven, success
orientated, determined to experience success at whatever the cost. Somewhat
like shopping for name brands. But reality eventually needs to sink in – what
is popular today won’t be tomorrow. Brand names are nothing more than a marketing
ploy… and the cost is out of this world. Why do we bother? Because we want to
be “in” as in “in fashion,” “apart of the ‘in’ crowd,” “having the latest and
best,” etc.
We treat God the same way. We
will bow at the altar of the latest version of god-centered religion only
because it is the most talked about, the most popular, most “successful”
version around. But is it real? Has it been proven by the test of time? Will it
be around tomorrow or next year or in 10 years?
Fans grab at the latest and
best, while Followers stay the course. Followers are faithful regardless of the
immediate results. Fans run off in this direction or that. Fans buy into the
“dog and pony” shows that are brought in to help us obtain success. Followers
trust the Lord, faithfully believing that in time God will win the day.
Followers are people who labor long and hard with little to show for their
labors knowing that God is always faithful.
Wasn’t it an old farmer who
said: “If you plant enough seeds something will grow!” The missionary couple,
in the story above, were planting seeds. Year-after-year-after-year… nothing...
crop failure… but they continued to plant the seeds of faith. They were
faithful witnesses to the truth that was in them. What would be the message to
those villagers if after a few years they simply packed their bags and left? It
was being faithful over the many years that won the day.
We want the flash, the
excitement, the latest-and-best, the brand name religion, while God wants
steady, faithful, stay the course people.
PRAYER:
Forgive us for wanting
immediate success. Give us the strength to carry on when nothing seems to be
happening. Help us to trust you for the success. Guide us towards a life of
faithfulness.
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