May (part 2 of 2)
There are many preachers who are like these false prophets. They do not care to give God's message faithfully. They find out what kind of message the people like to hear and they give such messages. Their only desire is to enjoy great popularity.
However, Jehoshaphat was a man of prayer, and he sensed there was something wrong with these four hundred prophets. In the same way, those who are spiritual can sense whether or not a preacher is a man of God. As Jehoshaphat heard them prophesy, he said to himself, "I do not think they are true prophets." So he asked, "Is there no other prophet here besides these?" Then Micaiah was called. Ahab knew what Micaiah would say this time also, So he told the messenger, "You go to Micaiah, whisper in his ear and tell him what the four hundred prophets have said, and ask him to say the same thing." Even today, in many places, someone will call the preacher aside before he goes to preach, and tell him what to preach and what not to preach. And he will face the consequences if he does not heed to the advice! Sooner or later, you, who are servants of God, will face similar situations. Unless you watch your steps carefully, you also are likely to fall. That is why this word of warning is being brought to you so solemnly. Micaiah was a faithful servant of God, and he gave God's message very truthfully (vs. 16-22). To make his message perfectly plain, Micaiah declared that the Lord had put a lying spirit in the mouths of the four hundred false prophets. He fulfilled his ministry very faithfully and boldly.
MAY 20
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but ... against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Eph. 6:12).
In these end days the enemy is very active and he uses all kinds of weapons to attack believers. God's servants and their co-workers. He uses many subtle devices to weaken our faith, bring strife among us, make us negligent about spiritual things, fill our hearts with discouragement and bring confusion among us. God has given us weapons to overcome dejection, depression, doubt, fear, strife, jealousy, anger, etc. We should know what these weapons are and learn how to use them. All these weapons must be used properly. In 2 Cor. 10:4-6 we find some of these weapons. ("For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds").
The first great weapon to defeat and confound the attacks of the enemy, is implicit obedience. Whenever God speaks to us and shows us something we have to obey immediately. Our weakness is due to disobedience. We are ready to hear but not to obey. Quick and joyful obedience is one secret of the power of resurrection. See for example, on the early Easter morning the angel told the women who had gone to the sepulchre, "And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you" (Matt. 28:7). Verse eight says, "And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word".
They obeyed immediately, whereas when the disciples heard what the women told them, they did not believe them and they started to argue. The Lord Jesus Christ appeared to the women by the way. The disciples lost the privilege of being the first witnesses of the resurrection. Thus quick and joyful obedience gives us victory. What God shows we have to obey quickly. Then our prayers are quickly answered. It is not by our loud and long prayers that we get answers. Please make sure there is no disobedience in your life against the Lord.
The second weapon we have, is to pray always and not be discouraged even when our prayers are not answered immediately. "... men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1). Very often we cannot concentrate in prayer. We find our thoughts wandering here and there and our body becoming restless. The enemy can use many many devices to hinder our prayer time. Many time we decide to spend one hour in prayer. But before we go upon our knees, some one comes and knocks the door. That is the enemy's device. He can bring worldly friends just at that time. Then we begin to argue, "They have come all the way to see me". So we give up prayer and spend time in eating and drinking. When we find a burden upon our heart for prayer we have to persevere in prayer and not allow the enemy to hinder us.
We have to make sure that on no occasion we take God's glory to ourselves or give that glory to other men. Some, perhaps unconsciously, give more honour to men than to God. We should depend upon God in prayer and bring all our needs to Him. In God's work, we cannot use worldly methods. Our means is prayer. It is more effective than anything else.
MAY 21
"But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many asleep" (1 Cor. 11:28-30).
It is the desire of our Lord Jesus Christ that His Church should be presented "to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing... holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:27). Not only is it His desire but He has also made every provision for it (Jude 24, 2 Thess. 1:10; 1 John 3:1-3; John 6:36-57). We must keep this standard of God before us that we may become spotless and blameless, as He wants us to be. He wants us to be like Himself, conformed to the image of His Son. As we obey Him, He is able to pour His life into us and through us in a great measure.
As we come around the Lord's Table we must remember that we have come around our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our standard, and not some preacher, or teacher, or other fellow-men. We are not to try to be like other human beings, or great saints, or great preachers, or even like the apostle Paul. Our Lord wants us to become like Him, and every word that we speak, every thought that we entertain, and every plan that we make, must be according to His perfect way. As we examine ourselves, let us ask Him; "Lord, are You satisfied with my life? Others may be satisfied with me, but what about You? Are you fully satisfied with my life? Does my life give my Lord full joy and pleasure?" Let us think of these things as we ask Him; "Lord, are You fully pleased with my life?" As we think of His death let us ask ourselves whether He can see in us the travail of His soul and be satisfied. As we think of His resurrection let us ask ourselves whether we are truly waking in fulness and newness of life. This is an important point of self-examination. How much is God pleased with my life? Am I being fully conformed to the image of His Son? Is His resurrection life and power manifest in me?
Then let us give to Him our full worship and praise and love, that we may give to Him full joy and pleasure as we come around His Table.
MAY 22
"... we have fellowship one with another" (1 John 1:7).
Believers should pray together for all matters relating to the Church until they are of one mind and have perfect peace in their hearts as to what the will of God is. Mere Bible teaching is not enough; united prayer is essential.
God's fulness is in the Body of Christ as we read, "the church ... Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all" (Eph. 1:22,23). Some believers gather only on Sundays but do not take part in the prayer meetings. As a result they remain spiritually weak and immature, not able to understand the deep things of God. They will attend a meeting and go away saying it was very nice, but will never care to stay and enjoy fellowship with other believers or to share in the church responsibilities. Thus they remain babes in Christ. On the other hand those who have learnt to consider Christ as the Head of the Body of Christ will long to enjoy God's fulness. They will love the fellowship of God's people and will eagerly take part in Church prayers.
From experience I know what power we, as God's people, will enjoy if we learn to meet often for prayer. See Acts 12:5; Rom. 15:30; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:3; 1 Thes. 5:25; 2 Thess. 3:1. In these passages we see how Paul, even though he was such a great servant of God, constantly asked for the prayers of the Church. In this sense we also have to depend upon the prayers of the Church. In this sense we also have to depend upon one another. I need you and you need me. We have to live together, rejoice together, suffer together and serve together under one Head, Christ. That is why we are called the Body of Christ.
MAY 23
"And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith" (Luke 17:5).
The history of Jericho's fall before Israel demonstrates to us the lesson of the victory of faith in God and His Word. Before the children of Israel entered into the land of Canaan, the first city they conquered was Jericho. At that time the city had very strong walls. God commanded His people to go around the city once a day for six days, and seven times on the seventh day. The men of Jericho shut their city gates. They might have mocked at the people marching round and wondered how they could break through the very thick walls of their city. But God had promised that at the blast of the priests' trumpets, followed by the shout of all the people, the walls would fall flat, so that they could walk straight in and take the city.
I myself have seen city walls which had fallen during an earthquake. They had fallen in heaps and not flat. But the walls of Jericho fell flat as the Lord had said and this had been proved by excavations at Jericho walls over 3,400 years later. This was a victory of faith. God could have caused the walls to fall down on the first day, but He wanted to increase the faith of His people through obedience to His unusual commands. For effective ministry we need strong faith, without any doubt about God or His Word.
In the same way God will take us through many situations and hardships wherein we may prove His Word and grow in living and strong faith. For example, Abraham took 25 years to really trust God's promise of a son by his wife Sarah. In the beginning he had obeyed God in leaving his father's house and his native country. Even after making such a sacrifice, doubts came to him as to how God could fulfil His promises concerning a son, and then he made a big mistake through unbelief, and listened to his wife Sarah's advice to go in to her servant woman Hagar. As a result, much distress and trouble followed for all concerned. Abraham's testing period of 25 years was in God's purpose. Without faith in God's Word, we cannot serve Him. Looking at our human weaknesses, limitations, trials, temptations and poverty, it may seem impossible for God's Word to be fulfilled in our lives. But as we put our trust in God and His Word. He will give us the victory and do as He had promised.
I do thank God for the many impossible situations He took me through for five years to strengthen my faith. Now I praise Him for everything. Faith does not come by reading books about, but it is proved and strengthened as God puts us through His refining fiery trials just as gold is put in the fire and refined. We have to pray by faith, "Lord, increase my faith so that I may implicitly trust your Word". Only when we stop murmuring, and listen to what God says to us, can we ourselves give His Word to others in power and authority.
MAY 24
"...be clothed with humility" (1 Peter 5:5).
The Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Simon Peter on the day of His resurrection as we read in Luke 24:34, "The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon." We can imagine why Simon Peter ran to the empty sepulchre after Mary told him that the sepulchre was empty. Perhaps while he was returning from the sepulchre, the Lord Jesus Christ met Peter, thus giving him an opportunity to ask forgiveness for denying Him three times. What a great joy the apostle Peter must have experienced when he tasted the abundant grace, and forgiveness of the Lord Jesus Christ!
The more we humble ourselves at the Lord's feet and continue in His presence with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, the more we enjoy His power of resurrection. We find the same Peter writing in his first epistle chapter 5 verse 6, to all believers, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time". He also says in verse 5, "...be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble".
We also read in Matt. 23:12, "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that humble himself shall be exalted". The Lord Jesus Christ Himself washed the feet of the disciples before He was crucified giving us an example of how to love and serve one another with a real sense of humility and brokenness. Our holy and mighty God lives only in two places according to Isa 57:15, "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." He does not live in places made by man's hands. Also our Lord said in Matt. 11:29 "...learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart." We have to learn this lesson life-long to be kept humble in His presence. It is very easy for us to be proud and puffed up whenever we see God working mightily in us and through us. May the Lord keep us humble and save us from the great temptations of robbing God of His glory.
MAY 25
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13).
The Israelites had to cross the river Jordan and enter into the land of Canaan. They went across the river in the most unusual way. This shows us the way in which we enter into and enjoy our inheritance in Christ Jesus. "Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you" (Josh. 3:11). When the priests carrying the ark of the covenant were to enter the promised land, first God Himself was going before them to fight on their behalf. It was not by their own strength, power or ability that they could cross the river or conquer the strong enemies who then occupied the land. The ark was to remind them that the living and the mighty God was Himself among them as their powerful captain. He would lead them and drive out the enemies before them, and they were not to depend on their own strength, ability or weapons of war.
As soon as the feet of the priest touched the water, the water parted and the people passed across on dry ground. The waters of Jordan speaks of our sinful fleshly nature which hinders us from possessing our inheritance. As long as we depend on our will-power and strength to overcome that nature, we will be defeated. It is only when the Lord Jesus Christ takes charge of our lives that we can enjoy victory.
Paul the apostle, was one of the most highly qualified men of his time. He could also say that he was blameless as touching the righteousness which was according to the Law. Yet he did not depend on his human qualifications, rather he said that he had no confidence in the flesh (Phil. 3:3). He also said "... not I, but Christ". The children of Israel had no scheme or plan of their own to cross the river but were full obedient to the plan God had given them. Similarly, we should enthrone the Lord Jesus Christ as our heavenly King and be under His full subjection. Just as the waters parted as soon as the feet of the priest touched it, we too will find the power of the Lord working on our behalf and leading us to victory. Day after day we have to face many battles in our hearts because the enemy stirs us up with thoughts of hatred, enmity, jealousy, lust, impurity, greed, pride etc. These desires, feelings and thoughts cannot be conquered by our own will-power, knowledge or cleverness. We have to say by faith, "Lord Jesus, I cannot conquer these sinful desires by myself. They are troubling me. You please conquer them on my behalf". Then alone can we enjoy His victory.
MAY 26
"For the preaching of the cross is ... the power of God" (1 Cor. 1:18).
There is an example of how a life was transformed by looking at the cross. A certain artist painted a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. The artist was a Jew, and had no faith in Christ. Sometime after he began to paint a portrait of a young girl. Whenever the girl came to his studio, she would see the painting and question the artist, "Who is that on the cross?" This question embarrassed him, and he would reply, "Do not disturb me about that. I now want to draw your picture." As she had to go to him every day for the portrait, she would constantly ask him the question, "Who is that on the cross?" In the end the artist had to tell her the story of the cross. He told it to her in just a few words, how Christ died, how He was buried and how He rose again. One day the artist received a message from the girl, "Please come and see me, I am dying". So he went. He saw the shinning face of the girl on her death bed, and, she said to him, "Sir, I want to thank you with all my heart because you have showed me the way of salvation. I have been a great sinner. My time has come to die. But I know that my Lord has forgiven my sins." "How did He forgive your sins?" enquired the artist. Then she told him, "From the time I saw the picture in your studio and you told me its story, I became restless. I began to see my sins and then I realized that Christ died for my sins, and confessed my sins. Now I know He has forgiven me." She continued, "It is because of you I met my Saviour and that is why I want to thank you before I die." After she had said this, she peacefully passed away. Then the artist said to himself, " This painting of the cross has been in my studio for many years. I never knew its mystery. But now I know the power of the cross." He repented of his sins and cried, "O Lord, I thank Thee for dying for my sins." Later he spent many years in painting a new portrait of the Lord Jesus on the cross. When he had finished, he wrote these words below, "All this have I done for thee, what hast thou done for Me?" This artist also died soon after.
The painting found its way into a Berlin Art Museum. Many went to see the paintings in this Museum. One day a very wealthy Count came to see the paintings in order to buy a good painting for his palace. He went round looking at them all until he came to the painting of the cross and the words at the bottom drew his attention, "All this have I done for thee, what hast thou done for Me?" The Count could not draw his eyes away from the picture and the words penetrated deep into his heart. The painting drew him nearer to the Lord. The picture was so living that he felt the presence of God. He felt as if the Lord Himself were standing by his side saying these words, "All this have I done for thee, what hast thou done for Me?" I gave My hands to be nailed for thee, I gave My feet to be pierced for thee. I gave My back to be scourged for thee. I gave My face to be spat on for thee, I gave My head to be crowned with thorns for thee, but what hast thou done for Me?" The Count could not leave the place. He repeated within himself, "For me, for me!" He saw his sins one by one, and cried, "He died for my sins." Tears began to roll down his cheeks; he went on weeping for hours in the same spot, until the watchman came and said, "Sir, I must go home, it is very late." The Count bought that painting and took it to his home. Eventually he sold all he had and used the money for the Gospel's sake. He said, "Lord, You have done so much for me, now I give You my all." Thus he became the founder of the Moravian Mission. It was from that time that the Gospel began to be taken in great power to many lands and millions have been drawn to the cross.
MAY 27
"Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab... and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah" (Ruth 1:6,7).
Naomi was planning to return, however, without any sincere repentance at what she had done. In Ruth 1, we read of Naomi telling her daughters-in-law, "The hand of the Lord is gone out against me". See also her statement in v. 20, "...the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me". These words do not show any sense of guilt. On the contrary, she was blaming God for her own failure and the resultant sufferings. Sometimes we too are guilty of such offences. When things go wrong in our lives, we begin to blame others around us for these failures. Instead of searching our own lives for the cause of these failures, we like to place the blame on our neighbours, if not on God Himself. When, however, the Spirit of God works in our lives, leading us to true repentance, we shall be on our faces before the Lord, and will be willing to admit freely. "It is I, I only, that have sinned".
As Naomi prepared to return to Bethlehem, she thought that her daughters-in-law would be an added burden on her, and so she planned to send them away. One of them - Ruth, however, was determined to go with her. "...whither thou goest, I will go" was Ruth's determined reply. (Ruth 1:16). She was not following Naomi for any earthly gain. She had no hope of anyone marrying her in the land of Israel. Neither had she any longing for Naomi's property. She also knew that if she accompanied Naomi, she would have to work very hard in order to support herself and the aged Naomi. Her motive is found in v. 16b: "...thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God". Ruth had heard about the Living and True God. She was filled with a great longing to know more about this God, and she was determined to gain this knowledge at any price. She was prepared to undergo any hardship and suffering to make this God her God. God took note of this desire in Ruth and blessed her.
When Naomi came to Bethlehem, she never told Ruth that they had a very wealthy kinsman by the name Boaz. It was not Naomi who led her to the field of Boaz. It was the sovereign hand of God - unseen by both Ruth and Naomi that lead her to Boaz. Ruth only wanted to work, and work hard, to provide for herself and her mother-in-law. It was the harvest season. People were working everywhere. So Ruth too wanted to go and take up any work available, so that she and her mother-in-law would have something to eat. But God was working behind the scene, and led her by His skilful hands, to the place of His blessing.
We see from this how when we have the desire to know the Lord more intimately, and to do His will, the Lord will lead us to people through whom we can be helped spiritually. God knows how to satisfy our deepest longings. This He does by bringing us in touch with His people, who will give us the Christian fellowship which we need, and who are able to help us understand the truths of God's Word.
MAY 28
"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass" (Psalm 37:5).
Those who are not born again cannot understand the mysteries in the Word of God inspite of all the Bible knowledge they may have. The moment our sins are forgiven and we are born again, we are made partakers of the divine nature. When we receive the Lord Jesus Christ into our hearts by faith, divine nature is formed in us. If we spend sufficient time upon our knees we will feel divine presence. While we are in His presence, we can pray asking the Lord to prepare us and guide us the whole day and give us His instructions to be followed. We should submit our ways to the Lord and ask Him to lead us to needy people either spiritually or materially and enable us to meet their needs. We can ask the Lord to show us His plan for the whole day, and prepare us for the hour of temptation or trial. For example, if we have to go for an interview or have to face some bad tempered person, we can ask the Lord for extra grace to bear the remarks or criticism without retaliating. Some have very troublesome mothers-in-law. It is very hard to face them because they purposely try to find some fault with their daughters-in-law. The poor daughterin-law may bear her humiliating remarks for a few days. Afterwards, she will begin to answer seven words for her mother-in-law's one word. But that attitude will not solve the problem. Ultimately that will lead to an unhappy home.
We can pray to the Lord to overrule every situation, help us not to bring any reproach to His Name and give us grace to bear patiently all the unkind remarks, but not retaliate. In the same way we can claim His grace for any situation in the office or in other places. The Lord being our sympathetic High Priest will help us in our weaknesses in all situations. He will also write upon our hearts His laws and give us right words for every situation.
MAY 29
"Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God" (Nehemiah 4:9).
The broken walls and the burnt gates of Jerusalem speak of the barren lives of many of God's people all over the world. This was the result of the rebellion and sin of the children of Israel. Even these days, we can see much barrenness among God's people on account of their sin and disobedience to God. But the God of grace has always used a remnant to bring new life among His people so that they may enjoy His salvation fully. God used Nehemiah and his co-workers to rebuild the broken walls and the burnt gates of Jerusalem. Those who wanted to obey God and become a part of this remnant, had to be prepared for any kind of opposition, ridicule or mockery, just as Nehemiah and his helpers had to face and overcome much opposition and persecution. Sanballat was the chief mocker and persecutor (4:1). He had another companion by name Tobiah (v. 3). These men Sanballat and Tobiah were the most powerful and influential men of the place. We as God's servants will also face opposition from the powerful and influential people.
Sanballat and Tobiah could have used their high position to the advantage of building the wall of Jerusalem but on the contrary they used their privileged position to hinder God's work and become enemies to His servants. Paul says in Phil. 2:21, "For all seek their own". At the very beginning of the Lord's work in Madras, He warned us and taught us how to face such type of opposition. So before we moved into "Jehovah Shammah" in Madras (Chennai) a few of us were burdened to pray all night. We knew beforehand, that we would have to face much persecution and attack from the enemy. At the same time we knew that unless we prayed with perseverance we would not be able to stand the opposition.
So we decided to go a nearby hill in place called Pallavaram to spend the whole night in prayer. When we went there, we found the place was full of scorpions and centipedes were attracted by the bright petromax lights which we had taken with us. We went on killing them as we saw them approaching. It was an unusual experience, because on the one hand we were praying the whole night and on the other hand we were killing the scorpions and the centipedes. Early in the morning we could see the sun rising on the city of Madras. Then the Lord spoke to us in a clear and open way that we would have to face such bitter opposition as the stings of the scorpions and centipedes. The Lord also encouraged us saying not to be afraid of them because even though these people may try to harm us, they would not be able to succeed; for as we were able to overcome the scorpions and centipedes so we will also be able to overcome those who will persecute and oppose us. What the Lord spoke through the scorpions and centipedes turned out to be true as was experienced in the years that followed. So our going to prayer perseveringly proved a great help and encouragement. We cannot overcome the enemy by our own wisdom, cleverness, talents, gifts or by our own strength and power. Now we can testify that the Lord has faithfully kept His promise. The more the people tried to oppose the work of God the more we were blessed.
MAY 30
"... rejoice, because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20).
Those who are going to be joined together as life-partners in the presence of God and before His people have a longing to be blessed by God. The very fact that they want to be joined in the House of God shows their longing that the Lord may bless their union. They know somehow, unless God blesses their union, whatever they may do or possess will not bring true happiness in their lives. But God also wants His own divine laws to be fulfilled before He can bless them. He is the God of blessing, and He desires to bless us as He says in Heb. 6:14, "Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee". That means, as far as God is concerned He is willing to bless us throughout eternity. It also means, He goes on adding blessing to blessing every day, every month, every year and throughout the ages. There is no end to it. What a promise and what a blessing! and that blessing is upon all those who call upon God.
God is not a respecter of persons. Whatever He offers to one He offers to all, provided you are willing to abide by the divine laws. Whatever He gives is for eternity and in abundance. He wants to give us everything in fulness and abundance as we read in John 16:24, "ask... that your joy may be full". These words were spoken to those disciples who were with Him for three and a half years. During those years, they saw many miracles performed by our Lord Jesus and were privileged to be with Him when He performed the miracles.
The disciples also performed miracles, and came back rejoicing to tell the Lord, "even the devils are subject unto us through thy name". But the Lord knew, that none of those things could make their joy full. He did not want them to take pride in the miracles thy had performed. So He said, "rejoice, because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). When you are sure that your name is found in the Book of Life, only then, your life can be blessed abundantly. New life will give you new joy. When the new life comes into us the Lord will teach us all His Divine laws. The Divine life will make you content and give you true inward peace as the Lord said in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid". Whatever we receive from the world in the form of wealth, gold, silver, honour, position and prosperity is only for a short time. You find your earthly joy melting away after you have received what you have desired. But there is a joy which becomes more and more in suffering and trials. It does not depend upon our health, position, wealth or knowledge.
MAY 31
"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest" (John 4:35).
The Lord Jesus Christ could see a great harvest in Samaria by bringing the Samaritan woman to Himself. He could see multitudes who would be saved through her. His eyes can see everything. He is our Creator and knows all about us. He has all power. He invites us with great love. If you are saved He wants to save many more through you. That is how you become a co-worker with Him. The Samaritans were the first Gentiles who confessed that Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. What a revelation! All this was the result of the testimony of the woman. She was transformed quickly and fully because of true repentance. At the same time she received full revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world. Then she became a means of revealing the Lord Jesus to others.
See how the Lord made Hannah also His co-worker. At that time God wanted a person or an instrument to rebuke Eli. If God wanted, He could have sent angels for that purpose but God's plan is to use human beings. His choice fell upon Hannah, who began to see that God also had some need, which a poor woman like her could meet by bringing forth a child like Samuel. Thus through her prayer she became God's coworker.
Similarly, the Lord gained ground into Ethiopia by saving one eunuch (Acts 8:26-27). The Lord asked Philip to go to the desert. As he obeyed, God guided him. The Ethiopian repented, believed and was baptized. And even today, there are believers in Ethiopia. The work began in a desert. Philip was God's co-worker.
Lydia also became God's co-worker (Acts 16:14-15). Through her, Gospel was taken to Europe and the first church in Europe was established in her house in Philippi. After a few years we find many believers in Philippi (Phil. 1:1). Not only that, in a very short time, they had deacons and elders. Also they learned to give liberally for the Lord's work (Phil. 4:15-16). Lydia, welcomed and received Paul and his whole party joyfully. Her life was an example and inspiration to all believers in Philippi. And thus the assembly in Philippi became so strong, with bold witnesses. Many churches were established in that whole region. Thus Lydia also became a co-worker with God.
Whosoever you may be, the Lord wants you to be His co-worker and partner. He wants that many more should be brought into His Kingdom through your humility. You may be small but remember that you too have a share in the building of His Church. Many doors are open. With all our handicaps God will use all of us but we must be willing to obey Him, and be true to the heavenly vision.