2018 Weekly Devotional - Week 12
Week 12
“Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” Colonel Townsend Whelen once said, “Only accurate rifles are interesting.”The reason being accurate rifles are intentional tools that do what is asked of them. The right load in the right rifle produce predictable, expected results. Shooting is something I enjoy. I like working up the right load, for the right rifle with my friend Steve and then heading for the range. An accurate rifle is a precision tool that engenders confidence in the shooter. The shooter believes and knows he has the right tool to do the right job. Therefore, when it comes time to perform, the shooter gets expected results. I grew up with the adage, “If you aim at nothing that is exactly what you’ll hit.” In other words, there has to be intentionality to what you are doing. When you couple the right tool with intentionality you have success. You ought to have intent, if not, we should have no expectations for success.
The woman at the well after talking to Jesus ends up heading back to her town and spreading the news about Jesus. Many believed the woman’s testimony and later went out to see for themselves. As a result, that town was changed. When you read this story how do you react? Do you marvel at the results of this woman’s witness? Why should we be surprised that when people hear the good news of Jesus Christ that they come to Christ? To be sure we should marvel at the power of God to transform a life, but should we not expect all who are weary and heavy laden to come to Him whose burden is easy and whose load is light? You might respond by saying that we should not presume upon God. I would answer by saying we are not presuming upon the sovereignty of God but are rather obeying by proclaiming what God has clearly revealed to be the message by which he saves! The power of the gospel emboldened Paul to say, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes...” I think it is high time for the church to intentionally and accurately preach the gospel and expect the power of God to save because that has been, is, and always will be God’s intentional method of saving the lost.
In Christ,
John