MONDAY - 19TH DECEMBER, 2022
MORNING WINGS DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE - Olusola & Oreoluwa ADEJUMO
FORCED RISING - His Pleasure Series 021
Acts 5:36-37, KJV
"36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed."
There's a thing like "forced rising." It's when you try to force or scheme your way to prominence. What have I found out about calling? If you're called, it's a matter of the soul longing to do some things or live in certain ways. If you're called and your time has been fulfilled to rise, you'll always and constantly have a pull of heart towards doing some things. If you're called, you may begin to have heart pulls at a certain age to act somehow. You'll just be distinguished. Moses was a deliverer and he visited his people, saw their oppression and began to deliver them. But, was the time and the method right? No! (Exodus 2:11). You may even be like Samson who God is rather stirring either in music, teaching, healing etc ministries. You know, you're just like an eaglet that the mother is training to fly. You're just beginning to develop in that sphere, learnt it and operate in it (Judges 13:25). The doing of those things are platforms to manifesting your calling and doing them is what could bring you satisfaction or fulfilment. Let's assume you're called to sing, you may be thinking towards organizing and having occasional concerts etc. As people attend and as you minister, as you see the will of God done, you're relieved at heart to see yourself discharging the burden that eternity has placed there. This one isn't therefore forced rising. It's God who solely places a desire in your soul, makes same persistent and draws your heart after its being done instantaneously or sooner. So, at doing it, if you ever get any recognition afterwards, it won't be you pushing yourself to prominence but God revealing you to the people, the body of Christ or nations. Because of the joy of touching lives, your focus won't even be on the accolades being showered you.
But that's not the same process Theudas and Judas of Galilee took to recognition or fame. They forced their way to be known and if you'll remember, Jesus had once told us that he who doesn't pass through the door is a thief (John 10:1). Anyone who breaks processes of doing things and also bypasses the protocols or officers monitoring compliance of that thing (in this case the Holy Spirit) is a fraudster, counterfeit, scammer charlatan and a thief. Only he who passes through the door is recognized and endorsed by God. So, let me ask you, "have you been scheming or making yourself seen" or the time for your revealing to Israel is here? If you read those two verses above, you'll read a thing like, "for before these days rose Theudas boasting himself to be somebody" and "after this man rose up Theudas and drew much people after him."
Mark, "and drew much people after him" and you'll see an ingredient of unacceptability in that statement. He did it by force. He wanted to be noticed and so he like Theudas began to boast himself to be somebody. Who boasts himself to be somebody? It is he who God has not called that says he's called. It's he who God has not anointed who feigns to be anointed. It is he who God has not gifted nor sent on an errand who manifests like he was commissioned. These are the children of Sceva who feigns being born again, called, anointed and uses the name of Jesus to work (Acts 19:13-16). They'll soon be revealed. They once mused on John, "are you the Messiah we've been awaiting?" He could have pretended he was. He could have boasted himself to be that greater person - the One all gazes are expecting and would soon be turned to after identification but he confessed, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness and one "not worthy to unloose His shoe latchet..." (Lk 3:15-17). He didn't take that honour upon himself because God didn't accord him. What will kill a lot of people is trying to take the honour, do the work or enter into offices God didn't allocate them. The moment you do that, you immediately become fake because you begin to do what you're not destined, equipped or called to. You're therefore a zero who boasts himself like Theudas to be somebody in a placement God didn't place him. Aren't you false? Imagine Theudas promising he'll part the Jordan for all his followers and that they should follow. When did he become Moses or Joshua? Who gave him the parting anointing? Who anointed him for that? Who called him into that and what purpose was in heaven's heart to accomplish if they ever called him to part Jordan? Just nothing. This man came on his own. When people are asked, "in whose name have you come", charlatans like Theudas don't have God to point to? Even if they reference God, it's in pretense. That's why I say, "avoid any forced rising." Rather, watch your soul for the ticking time. If the fullness of time has come to launch or rise, you'll do so in the strength of the Lord God of Israel and you shall go from glory to glory. The desire to be seen or felt might allude to your being called but ensure you're not strayed into doing things that God didn't ordain should substitute or satisfy those desires. Rather, wait for eternity to satisfy the call deep down in you.
PRAYER: Lord, help me relieve this burden by helping me to fulfill it. May I not stray and look for satisfaction elsewhere. I shall not be false.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Zephaniah 1:1-3:20; Revelation 10:1-11; Psalm 138:1-8; Proverbs 30:11-14
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