Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye
MEMORIZE: “Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.” (Luke 3:2)
READ: Luke3:2-3
When we look at John 3:28-31 and the life of the greatest Old Testament prophet—John the Baptist, we cannot but be confronted with pertinent questions that are fundamental to everyone. The first of such questions is: Who am I? This borders on personal identity. When John came preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom by River Jordan, many people began to wonder whether he was the Christ they were expecting. He told them he was not; he was the one sent to prepare the way for the Christ (Luke 3:1-18). John the Baptist clearly knew who he was. He was only a voice, and nothing more. Do you know that as a servant of God, you are only a voice? Being so, what are you heralding what tone of voice is yours? John the Baptist as a voice, in the wilderness, cried out the word: “Repent!” What is your cry today? The moment you stop preaching salvation through Jesus Christ, you stop being His voice.
Moreover, as God’s voice, you are not the originator of the message. In other words the communication process does not begin or end with you. You are only a channel or medium of communication. Before John began to preach, he received the word. “Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness” (Luke 3:2). Many people open their mouths to say what they are not sent. As God’s voice, your mouth is consecrated for God’s use. This is why no evil is expected out of the same mouth that the Holy Spirit can speak through. It is a great privilege for the Spirit of God to speak through mortal man. He loves doing this. But He does not speak through defiled vessels except occasionally, for a very specific reason. This is also why He would use the mouth of a donkey. Are you clean enough to be His voice? Was the Lord speaking through you before, but has now stopped? Find out what you did wrong and mend your ways. As His voice, give attention to His Word. Without His Word you have no message. Keep your tongue from guile – lies, abuses, immoral words and anything that will displease the Lord. As you hear Him, so speak. Ask for wisdom and the gifts of the Spirit to effectively disseminate His messages. Remember that you are only a voice.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, as You use me for Your glory throughout my earthly sojourn, help me to always remember that I am only a voice.
Bible in One year: Ecc. 7-9
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