KEY SCRIPTURE: John 1:15 NHEB “John testified about him and shouted out, saying, “This was the one of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’”

Men would naturally seek their own honour and advantage. When King Saul realised God had appointed David to take over the throne after him, he fought the will of God for about three decades till he finally died in a battle he was not supposed to die. God brought David into the palace to prepare him for kingship and to fight the battles for King Saul. King Saul had fallen out of favour with God. David was a vessel of grace sent to complement the shortcomings in his reign so he could finish his term in peace. Instead of Saul acknowledging that David was God’s chosen vessel to succeed him, He rather fought against God’s choice.

 Every choice God makes for us, is the best for our ultimate good.

John the Baptist escaped the error of King Saul. He came before Jesus. The whole communities were flocking his baptism, and he had the recognition of every body. Inspite of this when he was aware that Jesus although younger was the appointed one, John never tried to let any pride get into his way. He accepted the will of God and said the following about Jesus. “This was the one of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’” John put Christ first. He was ready to put his fame down and honour Jesus. God gave him that clout because he had been fulfilling the purposes of God almost all along. If he had become self seeking and had refused to honour Jesus as expected, he would have lost every honour.

In our lives as children of God, every thing about Jesus should come first. The word says, that in everything Christ must have the pre-eminence (Colossians 1:18). God is the one who chooses, anoints and promotes. We must always accept God’s choices no matter the colour, age or the background that the individual may have. So long as everything points to God’s approval over that individual, just get along with God’s choice. If it means submitting to that individual so the name of the Lord be glorified, just do it. Our delight is to always put the master first.

 In God’s equation we are only significant when we glorify Jesus.

THOUGHT: GOD’S CHOICES ARE ALWAYS FOR OUR ULTIMATE GOOD

FURTHER STUDIES

Col 1:18 NHEB “He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.”

John 3:30 NHEB “He must increase, but I must decrease.”