02/10/10

The Servant Prince

Ezekiel 17:24 - And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it


In today's message the Lord is telling us that He will bring down the high trees and exalt the low trees, He also says He will dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.

When one reads this message one wonders if one should be always of low profile and not to make efforts in God's Kingdom, but if we do that then how will we do the work of the Kingdom of God. It is not to be understood in that manner.

Today's message basically talks of two humilities; one towards God and the other towards His people. Let me explain it in the reverse order.

When it comes to humility concerning God's people it does not mean putting oneself last. For example if I am standing in a queue and a child of God is standing way behind me, going and standing behind that person is not humility but foolishness. Humility requires me to help or show the person how he or she can progress in the queue and if not go ahead of me, at least come to my position. It means taking concern of that person's success while not losing the race ourselves. It means competing against the race as a team and not competing with that person. If that person can go ahead of you so be it, Praise the Lord. If anyone of us wins more it is good since it is the whole team that increase goes to ultimately.

When it comes to humility concern God, it requires us to be a vessel or instrument in the Hands of the Lord. It is the fear of the Lord that brings true wisdom and humility towards the Lord.

When we know Who our God is who we are compared to Him. We realized we are just nothing. All what we are and have accomplished, we need to give glory to God for making us such and achieving it into our lives. A tool cannot take pride for being that specific tool and what it achieves as that tool. It is because the maker in his wisdom made it that tool it became possible to do what it does. For example a hammer cannot take pride against a screwdriver for what it does. Also it would be foolish for a screwdriver to stop workings as a screwdriver and competing with the hammer starts being used as a hammer.

God has made each one of us and given us the skills which are to be used for His glory (in God's Kingdom the word skills is more appropriate word than the word talents).

Today's message can be best explained in just one line - 'Ruling God's Kingdom with a heart of a Servant and serving His people with a heart of a Prince'.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord God, You are God and Master of your people. Your people suffer because they do not know You or who they are in You. You humbled Yourself and came as Son of Man to lift your people to become your Sons and princes. You called them Israel for what You will achieve in them. Man lost your glory because of sin and sold themselves to earthly prosperity which is vanity. Lord, let your people know that they are connected to each other in spirit and therefore should work for each other and be concern of each other as they are of themselves...

This payer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripture ]
John 15:12-15
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends [associates].
14 Ye are my friends[associates], if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends [associates]; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20 For ye are our glory and joy.

1 Peter 5:1-7
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)