Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye
MEMORIZE: “Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him” (John 3:28)
READ: John 3:28-31
Today’s reading introduces John the Baptist. He was a messenger of the Almighty God. “For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee” (Matt. 11:10). Who is a messenger? He is someone who is sent on an errand; a representative, an ambassador or an apostle. It is therefore obvious that a messenger is under the authority of a superior individual or body. The ambassador of a nation can never be greater than the president he represents in a foreign land. His retention is dependent on how well he represents the interests of his president or nation. If he errs or embarrasses his government, he can be recalled.
Just as it is with earthly ambassadors, so it is with Kingdom ambassadors. As a messenger of God, you must always remember that you are under authority. One cause of premature death among ministers of God today is the fact that they soon forget that the one who assigned them can recall them. When as a minister you begin to take the glory that is meant for the One who sent you, or you relegate Him to the background while promoting yourself, know that you are toying with fire.
Another fact about divine messengers is that there is joy in being a representative of the highest authority. God backs anyone He sends with everything He has. It is a great privilege to be under Gods authority because it confers God’s power on you as long as you know how to apply that authority in His name. One person who understood the principle of divine delegation of power was the centurion in Luke 7:1-10. When Jesus offered to go with him to heal his sick servant, he declined. He said that being under the authority of Caesar, all he needed to do is issue words of commands and his soldiers would immediately obey him, not necessarily because of his person, but because of the authority he represents. This is very true. Demons will obey you not because you are handsome, have three jeeps, or a large congregation. They will obey because of the One you represent. The question is: are you subordinate to His divine Lordship? Do you represent His interest over the assignments He has given to you? If you are not under His authority you cannot apply His authority.
KEY POINT
When Kingdom messengers fail to represent the One who has sent them, the ones they are sent to will continue to misunderstand their message.
Bible in One year: Judg. 5-8
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