Don’t get substituted
Memorize: Romans 11:4-5
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Read: 1 Samuel 16:1
One of the most glorious things that can happen to anyone in life is the privilege to be made a vessel for God’s use. Since God is Spirit, He rules and reigns over the affairs of men mainly through the instrumentality of available and willing men. When God finds such, He bestows them with so much benefit that other men marvel at them. Samson was not a macho man, yet he lifted a city gate above his head and carried it up a cliff only because God endowed him with special abilities. Elijah could call down fire unlike other men of his day because of the God factor in him.
God is such a person that loves to keep His vessels close to Himself without leaving or forsaking them. Enoch walked with God and was not because God took him. Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind with a chariot of fire. God abides with His faithful vessels to the end. However, no matter how much God loves you, knowing you are still in the flesh, He is aware that you are susceptible to manipulation by the enemy if care is not taken. He will rather not be taken by surprise. Hence, for every vessel of His, He reserves at least seven thousand alternatives. So, when a vessel rejects the calling after a while or becomes swollen headed or decides against holiness, God can pick from the available others as replacement. The day Elijah said he was tired, he was instructed to anoint Elisha in his stead and his ministerial spiral started to unwind. Moses was told to pack it and anoint Joshua instead. Saul misbehaved and David was anointed instead.
To be substituted is to fall out of grace. Many today assume without them the work of God cannot progress. Please don’t be deceived. You are not indispensable. It is a great privilege to be used; but it is a terrible experience to be discarded and substituted. Ironically, when substituted, the substitute is always with the grace to perform better. Where such grace does not manifest, know clearly that the substitution must have been through human manipulation. Are you still thinking you are irreplaceable in that assignment? Please think again. Don’t get displaced. God has alternatives.
Pray:
Father, I am ready to serve you with my whole life to the very end. Please help me to abide in this so that I may never be substituted till I end up in you in Jesus name.