GOD NEEDS YOUR ANSWER

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, ......"-  Isaiah 6:8-9 (KJV)

When George Stott, a teacher with one-leg, volunteered for missionary service in China, someone asked why he with only one leg thought of going to China, he said, “I do not see those with two legs going, so I must.” (Culled from Twenty-Six Years of Missionary Work in China, Grace Stott)

There is a question God is asking that He cannot answer but we can (Isaiah 6:8-9). The question is "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?. God has a plan to save the lost, but He needs to enlist the services of people to achieve that plan. God has a message, but He needs messagers to deliver it! When God asked Isaiah that question several years ago, he responded swiftly saying, " Here am I, Lord, send me". Isaiah did not check his itinerary first to see if it will be convenient for him. He did not look around to see if someone else was willing to go with him. Rather, Isaiah totally agreed with Apostle Paul that the rescue mandate is a necessity that must be honoured to avoid terrible repercussions. (1 Corinthians  9:16)

"It’s not my work of telling the Good News that gives me any reason to boast. That is my duty—something I must do. If I don’t tell people the Good News, I am in real trouble"- 1 Corinthians 9:16 (ERV)

Friends, everyday God is still asking the same question He asked Isaiah and He awaits your response. Have you responded?. What is your response to God? Will you go for Him even when others are not willing to go? Will you go when no one appreciates or rewards you handsomely for your effort? Or will you go only when it is convenient? Will you go only when it appears less risky and glamorous. Or will you go simply because God asked you to go. But what if you refused to go. Will God be stranded and His plans frustrated? The answer is "No, God cannot be stranded". The truth is, if the educated and eloquent ones in the cities refused to go, He will recruit the illiterate from remote villages to advance His course. If people with two eyes and legs refused to preach the gospel, God will engage the service of the physically challenged ones around. If the rich and affluent ones are too busy to spread the message, God will raise the poor to do His bidding. Yes, He will anoint people like George Stott and send them to deliver His message in a mission-field. 

"Every Christian is a missionary; every non-Christian a mission-field"- Winkie Pratney

Beloved, the responses of Prophet Isaiah, Apostle Paul and George Stott to this question should be the new year resolution of every genuine believer in year 2021. Daniel L Schutte's captures those response very well in his hymn titled "Here am I, Lord, send me". How I wish this statement would be our watchword until we see Christ in glory.  

HERE AM I, LORD By Daniel L. Schutte, 1981.

I, the Lord of sea and sky,

I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin,

My hand will save.

Chorus:

       Here am I, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

       I have heard you calling in the night.

       I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

       I will hold your people in my heart.

I, who made the stars of night,

I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them?

Whom shall I send?

I, the Lord of snow and rain,

I have borne my people's pain.

I have wept for love of them.

They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone,

Give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my words to them.

Whom shall I send?

I, the Lord of wind and flame,

I will send the poor and lame.

I will set a feast for them.

My hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide,

'Til their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them.

Whom shall I send?

May God find us useful for His endtime rescue operations. May Heaven not replace us with the lame and blind ones in our generation. May God rekindle the lost passion for souls in our hearts. May He empower His words in our mouth to break stony hearts and conquer territories for Him. May Heaven back up all our efforts with great harvest of souls and outburst of miracles, signs and wonders in Jesus name. May God continue to meet the material, spiritual and emotional needs of missionaries worldwide. May He grant them grace to finish well in Jesus name

Good day and God bless you.(Amen)

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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