Day 15: God wants to use you as his instrument - 21 September 2017
By Benescke Janse van Rensburg
A very famous story reads as follows:
It started raining in a particular village. As the flood water rose, the rescue workers knocked on a particular man's door to ask if they could help him evacuate his house. His answer was: "No, I'm waiting for God to come and rescue me."
The flood waters continued to rise. The man eventually had to climb onto his roof. A rowboat came past, offering the man a way to safety. Again he replied, "No thanks, I'm waiting for God to come and rescue me."
It was not long until the man clung onto his house’s chimney as everything else was under water. A helicopter above threw down a rope for the man to climb to safety. Again he shouted: "No thanks, I'm waiting for God to come and rescueme." The man drowned. In heaven, he asked God why He did not save him. God replied: "Did I not send the rescuers to your house, then the boat and then the helicopter?"
Our preconceived ideas of how God is “suppose” to answer our prayers sometimes prevent us to seeHis answers right before us.
Today I want to give another perspective on the above mentioned story. In 2 Chronicles 16: 9 we read: “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”Also in Proverbs 3:27 we read: “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them.”
If God looks over the earth and He sees someone that needs help today and He chooses you to be his instrument (like the rescue workers, the boator the helicopter), will you be willing? Will you leave your comfort zone, so someone else can experience God's light and hope in their lives? And do you still see those in need in your community or even office at work going through tough times, or are you too focused on your own life?
To the question about what the most important commandment is, Jesus answered: “Love God. Love people.” May we never neglect to ask God to help US through his Holy Spirit to be aware of people’s needs around us. And may we be willing to leave our comfort zones in order to help where we can. I'm sure this puts a smile on God's face - and it may even save that person in need from an eternity without God. God bless.
Father God, thank you that I can worship You as my Creator and Lord. Please help me to be available if you need me as your instrument. I ask it in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
• Assignment: Be good to at least one person today - even if you are praying for them.
• Feedback: Share your testimony of God's breakthroughs in your life or give feedback at