Integrity of Our Heart

* Who of us would have chosen an untrained young man like David to take on a giant, of whom a whole army was afraid?
* Who of us would have chosen a shepherd boy such as Joseph to make way for the tribes of Israel to enter into Egypt and to be ruler over the land of Egypt ?
* Who of us would have chosen a stammering murderer such as Moses, who had been cast out of Pharaohs palace, to lead the children of Israel out of captivity and to the Promised Land?
* Who of us would have chosen mere fishermen such as Peter and Andrew to be the very disciples of Jesus Christ?
* Who of us would have chosen Paul, a self righteous murderer and severe persecutor of Christians to become the one who would bring the revelation of the gospel of Christ to the gentiles?

In each of the above instances God did not use the obvious options to fulfill His will and purpose. He did not use the options we might have considered for the job at hand. Today you apparently seem to need a degree or title of some sort behind your name to be used of God.

Oh how quickly we forget that it is God who calls us and it is He who chooses whom He will use.

We can think we can appoint ourselves or send ourselves; we can think we have some major mission to accomplish for God; we can think we have something to offer God.

But, if it is not God who calls us, if it is not He who makes the way, if it is not He who opens the doors, then we really are only making our own way. You see it is not what we can offer God, it is not about our countenance or our gifting, because all of these are of God; rather, it is about the integrity of our heart. Man may look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.

God wants no name to be exalted in His presence but the name of Jesus. God wants no man to be glorified but all glory to go to Him. God doesn't need man; it is we who need our gracious and loving Father in heaven.

Today, let us not think that we have anything to offer God except our humble surrender and obedience; that He may raise us up and use us as He would want to in accordance with His perfect will and purpose.

1 Peter 5:6 - "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."

"ODAAT" - WB Journal