WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023
LEVERAGE ON HERITAGE – Pastor Chris
…l am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold (Acts 7:32)
Though the Word of God teaches us about greatness, being greater than another should never be your dream. You can desire to advance or surpass previous generations in your exploits, but don’t make it about greatness. Leverage on heritage.
For example, the children of Israel could never imagine or pray to be greater than Abraham, Isaac or Jacob; their greatness was dependent on the greatness of these patriarchs. Jacob couldn’t have imagined being greater than Isaac; he recognized that his blessing came from being Isaac’s son.
Likewise, Isaac honoured Abraham as his father, knowing that his own greatness stemmed from being the son of Abraham. In Exodus 3:15, the Bible says, “And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob became His memorial forever.
The Lord Jesus is another example. God had promised David that his throne would be established forever (2 Samuel 7:12-13.) Read how Jesus was identified in Matthew 1:1: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
So, even if you’ve achieved higher educational success than your biological father, for example, remember that his role in bringing you into existence makes him greater than you. As great as you are, you’re his product, you came from him, so that makes him greater than you for you to honour him the way God wants you to.
Recognizing this principle is vital. It’s one of the reasons we have great honour for those whom God sent before us in ministry, because without them, we wouldn’t have what we have today. Through them, the Scriptures have been preserved through the ages; they diligently protected and passed down these precious teachings-the Scriptures that guide our lives. So, we remain grateful for what was done for us, leveraging on our heritage.
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PRAYER: Dear Father, I thank you for my parents, spiritual leaders, mentors and everyone who has played a significant role in shaping my life and making me who I am today. Thank you Lord, for the wisdom I’ve gained from them, the experiences, and the examples they’ve set for me to live the victorious life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Exodus 3:15 AMPC God said also to Moses, This shall you say to the Israelites: The Lord, the God of your fathers, of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has sent me to you! This is My name forever, and by this name I am to be remembered to all generations.
1 Peter 5:5-6 Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church)—[giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)—[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favour, blessing) to the humble. 6 Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you
Matthew 23:11-12 He who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself [with haughtiness and empty pride] shall be humbled (brought low), and whoever humbles himself [whoever has a modest opinion of himself and behaves accordingly] shall be raised to honor.
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 2 Corinthians 12:1-21 & Ecclesiastes 3-5
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 22:44-53 & 2 Samuel 1
