Bible Reading
- Numbers 27-28
- John 3
- Psalm 36
Verses of the day:
John 3:29-30 “I am filled with joy at his (Jesus’) success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”
Psalm 36:7 O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings
In PNG for our you discipleship program a few years ago, we used video series titled, “I am 2nd.’ It was videos of different Christian athletes who shared their testimony. While they may be 1st place in the world’s eyes, they always came in 2nd with God. God should always have first place in our lives.
In John 3:22-35 we see John’s popularity diminishing as Jesus comes on the scene. While John’s disciples became jealous, John took another attitude. I love what he said in John 3:29-30 “I am filled with joy at his (Jesus’) success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” This should be our constant prayer also.
The conversation with Nicodemus earlier in chapter 3 is interesting when I think about it in light of this concept. Nicodemus of course was trying to fit Jesus into his Pharisee box, and Jesus just didn’t fit. The reason Jesus didn’t fit is because Nicodemus didn’t see himself as 2nd. He was trying to be acceptable to God in his own strength. And Jesus told him that no one can enter the Kingdom of God that way. (John 3:5). Jesus said, “you have to become 2nd!” The Holy Spirit needs to be 1st! The Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life (John 3:6). You are nothing without the Spirit. You need to be born again. You need a new source of living!
My son Andrew and I have been talking about the need for God to be our refuge, our high tower of safety where the enemy can’t touch us (Ps 61:2-3). The only way that is possible is if we are filled with the Spirit (Eph 1:3) and walking in step with Him (Gal 5:25). We need to learn to take a back seat and let Jesus drive. Then sit back with confidence in how He drives. How confident are you in Jesus driving?
My final thoughts come from Numbers. Numbers 28:3-4 “Say to the people: This is the special gift you must present to the Lord as your daily burnt offering. You must offer two one-year-old male lambs with no defects. Sacrifice one lamb in the morning and the other in the evening.” While I don’t understand why God was so specific in many of the sacrificial rituals and things He told Israel they had to do, one thing is certain, these sacrifices reminded them of God, and their need for his atonement (that God was 1st and they were always 2nd). God wanted that so ingrained in them that He required them to do it twice a day.
The key to peace and rest, is being 2nd. Let Jesus drive the car. But, instead of being an annoying back seat driver trying to tell Jesus how to drive, we need to sit back with confidence, believing that He knows the way and is going to get you where you are supposed to go (conformity to His image).
Praying for peace for you guys today. Praying for a confidence in God’s driving. Praying that as you become 2nd, that you will be quick to praise the one who is in 1st.
John 3:29-30 “I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.