USEFULNEES TO GOD IS TO BE FAITHFUL TO WHAT HE CALLS US TO DO

SCRIPTURE:

“The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, how is the wood of a vine different from that of a branch from any of the trees in the forest? 3 Is wood ever taken from it to make anything useful? Do they make pegs from it to hang things on? 4 And after it is thrown on the fire as fuel and the fire burns both ends and chars the middle, is it then useful for anything? 5 If it was not useful for anything when it was whole, how much less can it be made into something useful when the fire has burned it and it is charred?  6 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: As I have given the wood of the vine among the trees of the forest as fuel for the fire, so will I treat the people living in Jerusalem. 7 I will set my face against them. Although they have come out of the fire, the fire will yet consume them. And when I set my face against them, you will know that I am the Lord. 8 I will make the land desolate because they have been unfaithful, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

(Ezekiel 15:1—8)

OBSERVATION:

              The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel.  Whenever I read anywhere that says, “the word of the Lord,” I want to pay close attention to what the Lord is about to say.  Here the Lord is asking Ezekiel about the difference between the wood of the vine and the branches of other trees of the forest.  The Lord is questioning the USEFULNESS of the wood of the vine, in comparison to other trees of the forest. 

              If the wood of the vine was not USEFUL while it was whole, how much less can it be made into something USEFUL when the fire has burned it and it is charred?  The Lord made his people useful however, they became useless.  The Lord set his face against them.  What was the reason of God setting his face against his own people?

              Ezekiel wrote, BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN UNFAITHFUL TO GOD.  My usefulness as a child and a servant of the Lord depends on my FAITHFULNESS TO GOD.  My USEFULNESS really depends on how FAITHFUL I am to the things that God has set for me to do.  USEFULNESS and FAITHFULNESS are inseparable. 

              Faithfulness is the mark of a person who is committed and willing to go to whatever distance God is calling them to do.  Unfaithfulness leads to uncommitted life and useless.  I am reminded today that God made me useful and faithful to everything he called me to do.  Usefulness leads us to trust God and remain faithful no matter what we go through. 

APPLICATION:

              I know that in my own life, I must be committed to be faithful to be useful of God’s purpose and will.  There are times in my own life that I am unfaithful.  I am grateful today that Jesus open my eyes to see the connection of USEFULNESS AND FAITHFULNESS in service and journey with him.  I pray that I will continue to be faithful to the things that God has already ask of me to do as I walk with him. 

PRAYER:

              Jesus, I ask that you forgive me for times that I am unfaithful and let myself to disobey you.  I ask today that you continue to give me a heart of obedience and faithfulness in order for me to be useful for your purpose.  Burn my heart with conviction to useful of you.  Teach me how to be obedient and faithful. Amen!