Devotional for the Week — 19 January 2009

Devotional For The Week – 19 January 2009

Sermon Title: God Is The Builder
Scripture Text: Hebrews 11: 8-10

Abraham and Noah are two heroes of faith that deserve our attention today. Abraham was called by God to look for his inheritance - the promised land. But before that, he had to settle for a life of a nomad with an uncertain destination. Yet he placed his faith in God. There was no Plan B – only God’s plan. God was the Architect of Abraham’s future.

Noah had no idea how to build the Ark. He only had God’s creative direction. In the end, he created a sacred and awesome end-product, one that would survive the world’s most destructive force – the Great Flood. God was the great Builder of Noah’s Ark.

What did these two men have in common? Faith - Theirs was a faith that “is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) They placed their complete trust in God, the Architect and Builder of their lives. (Hebrews 11:10)

What is God going to build in our church in the year 2009 and beyond? In a physical sense, God has grown our church from a small attap house to the large modern building it is today. In a spiritual sense, I believe God is going to build lives.

It is therefore important for us to hear His voice – Is God going to mend relationships between husbands and wives, between relatives, between friends? Will we desire to heal the broken relationships in our own lives?

David Ravenhill, who wrote the book ‘Surviving the Anointing’, recalled a life-threatening incident involving his father, Leonard Ravenhill, a team member of A. W. Tozer’s ministry. Ravenhill Sr survived his ordeal - and even lived till his eighties - to tell this story.

Aged 44 then, Ravenhill Sr was in Chicago, USA, for a meeting. In the hotel where he stayed, a fire broke out. The hotel was soon engulfed in ferocious flames. The only escape route was to jump out of the window. Ravenhill Sr landed on the ground floor and broke his limbs. In the hospital where he was treated, he overheard the doctors say: “Leave him; he’s going to die.”

Ravenhill Sr asked God why this ordeal had to happen to him. He had a bright future ahead of him and there was much left to do in God’s ministry. What was he to do in his dismal situation? Then he heard God’s voice: “You may learn to worship me.”

Friends, God’s message to Leonard Ravenhill is clear. Hebrews 11:6 says: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

God says in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Won’t you allow God to be the Architect and Builder of your life today?

Prayer Response:

Lord, I lay aside my faithlessness today. I desire to come facedown before You and worship You. I long for You to be the Architect and Builder of my life. Won’t you start laying the foundation now? In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devotional based on a message by Rev Lee Yam Kai

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