OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE - 24TH APRIL

Wednesday 24 April, 2013
A DESERTER?

Memory Verse: 
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God. Luke 9:62

Read: 
Luke 9:57-62

Luk 9:57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 

Luk 9:58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 

Luk 9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 

Luk 9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 

Luk 9:61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 

Luk 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. 

MESSAGE
Apart from parasites and loafers, the Commander-in-chief of the Heavenly army does not like deserters. Once you sign into God's army, there is no looking back. This is why in the armour available for soldiers listed in Ephesians 6:13-17, there is no armour for our backs. This means, the day you turn your back to the enemy, you are finished. It is against the rule of our warfare; for enemies are not supposed to see your back. This also implies there is no room to chicken out. Considering the size, military might and invincible weaponry available to you as a bona fide member of God's army, and God's track record of victories, you have no excuse to throw in the towel. Hence, Luke 9:62 says,

“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.”

This means, if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord, stay with Him and don't go back to the devil or your past self government. This also extends to your service. That is, whatever God has assigned you to do, never stop except He says so. Once in a while, God can move you from one assignment to another, or add to what you are presently doing. However, never move yourself away from an assignment God has given to you.

It is surprising to know how many people leave their primary assignment for a self-assigned task. These too are deserters. Increasingly, money is becoming a major factor in determining what is done, where it is done and how it is done. Although money is important for propagating the Gospel, it should however not take the place of the Holy Spirit. Some people when told to go and evangelise would reply: 'I don't have money'. What amount do you need to evangelise to your next door neighbour? There are some churches and ministries who being motivated by gain, decide to relocate or plant parishes only in high brow areas so as to attract the rich. Remember that Jesus Christ died for the poor also. If your ministry excludes ministering to the poor and needy, you are a deserter of some sort, and led by something else other than the Holy Spirit. Have you abandoned any assignment God earlier committed into your hands, repent and return today. God is prepared to back you in the task He has given to you, and not in the one you have taken upon yourself.

KEY POINT
If God has assigned you to a task, that is what He will reward you for. Do it faithfully whether it is easy or difficult.