TEXT: John 5:4
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For an angel went down at a certain season into thebpool, and troubled the water: whosoever the first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatoever disease he had
One of the conditions for receiving healing at the pool of Bethesda was that the patient must be the first to step into the water after the angel had troubled it. To be the first man meant that he must be the fastest person. People take pride in being first or taking first position. It means much to us that we are credited with being the first to drive a high class car, the first to build a type of house, the first to attain a certain position, the first to be born, the first in the class, etc.
We must not forget that we have first because there is the last. In other words, we all cannot be the first. But there is nowhere it is written that it is only by being first that we can fulfil our destiny. Whether you are first or not, you can be what God wants you to be. The first is not always the best. If God is with you and with your undertaking, you are the first. Do not get discouraged just because you are not the first.
Instead of seeking to be first, seek to have God's favour. Favour reverses merit and sequence. Favour reversed the genealogical order and gave Jacob the birthright instead of Esau (Gen. 27:36); favour also awarded the privilege of the first born to Joseph instead of Reuben (IChron. 5: 1); favour gave the same privilege to Ephraim instead of Manasseh (Gen. 48: 10-14).
To be the first is the same as to be the fastest. The world values the fast ones. We all know that not all of us are fast in life. Many are not fast in understanding, in talents, in wealth and in achievement. But Jesus accepts us as we are. He accepts the fast and the slow, the sharp and the dull, and the advanced and the backward. You may not be doing well in your academic; then, God will grant you speed. We are living a society that reckons your value on the basis of visible smartness. However, instead Of worrying yourself on how to displace another and become the first or the fastest, come as you are to Jesus and receive healing like an impotent man at the pool. Stop regretting that you are dull in life and venture. Remember that you didn't create yourself God who created you will fill up your deficiencies. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power Of the weak. He will renew your strength, give you strong legs to walk, swift legs to run and eagle' s wings to fly.
And the LORD said unlo Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the otherpeople go every man unto hisplace.
umber and quantity are highly valued by men to achieve feats, but for God, it is dedication and obedience to Him that makes the difference. In the battle between Israelites and the Midianites, this truth manifested very clearly. On the side of Israel, initially, 32,000 men responded to Gideon's call. Out ofcaves, holes, hills, huts and other hiding places, the Israelites emerged. Gideon was very happy. But God told Gideon to reduce the number, for it was too much for Him to fight with. Then, 22,000 were screened out, remaining 10,000. God insisted on more reduction, and 9,700 men were removed, remaining only three hundred men. God said that He was going to do the battle with these 300 men.
God wanted Gideon to go to war against Midianite forces that were described as grasshoppers, without number and sand by the sea side, being combined forces of the Midianites, Amalekites and children of the east (6:5; 6:33; 7:11). God said that He didn't want Israel to take the glory. Always, God doesn't want number to clash with His power. In our life battles, what we need is not number but God.
Many times people make promises to us; our brothers and relations promise us one thing or the other, but they never fulfil them. They fail to fulfil them due to inability or unwillingness. But for God, there is the ability, faithfulness and willingness. We have to rely on God to help us. Men will always fail us, but God will never fail us. In Zechariah 4:6, it is stated: "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
Again, what the church needs today for victory is not great multitudes but obedience to Goffs will. Your family also needs God and not number for success. If you have a large family, it is good; but it is better to have a small one with God than to have a battalion of family without God.
Never get intimidated by number if you have God on your side. If we rely too much on number, it will give us false hope and cause us to boast. Remember that God wants the glory to be His. Go with what you have; begin your business with the little capital that you have. God will surprise you by demonstrating to you that one with God is a majority.
