By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

Everyone is bound to respond or react to either the call from fellow humans, Satan or from God. We must consider our calling in relation with those of the characters under examination and ensure we are responding to the right call. Abimelech thought he had a call to the throne. Thus, he pursued it through homicide and support from his tribesmen.

That was a call from Satan who was a murderer from the beginning. Anyone who follows the same direction – to kill, maim or destroy in order to receive, propagate or pursue a call – is in pursuit of a call from Satan. It would be well-pleasing to the Lord, if each of us would wait for the call of God directly, as Gideon did in Judges Chapter Six.

In life, we would be faced with alternatives, some of which are essential for our journey to heaven and others that would ultimately bring us down. We are duty-bound to think deeply before making a choice, as picking an option implies a forfeiture of the other. We should be wise to choose only the essentials. Whenever the case arises, we must be willing to reject the allure of an inordinate position to reign in a higher office.

Jotham, the son of Gideon, gave a parable that illustrates people as trees. The trees of the forest wanted the olive tree to reign over them, but it rejected the offer. It knew its ministry through whose “fatness… they honour God and man.” We must know our ministry as well. Like the trees, people may approach us with the offer to reign over them.

Accepting such proposal without proper counsel can make one lose relationship and connection with God. We must consider and think deeply in order not to exchange our God-given ministry with the position of reigning over men. Our concentration should be to “fear God and keep His commandments” bearing in mind that He “shall bring every work into judgment.” We should also refuse to accept a rulership privilege in place of a holier assignment.

Believers must take their stand against rulership privileges that contravene their holier ministry. Sequel to the olive tree’s refusal to reign over the trees of the forest, they sought the fig tree to “reign over, them. But the fig tree said unto them, should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?” There is nothing sweeter than serving God and following Him, in spite of persecutions and pressures. This is because we live under the canopy of the Almighty God, in companionship with Christ and have the comfort of the Holy spirit.

Besides, we have the promises of God and rewards awaiting us in eternity. Therefore, we must make a choice to keep to our ministry. The most appropriate time to make that choice is now, while the kingmakers are yet to approach us with their offer. This is also the time to repudiate in advance, a royal promotion in preference for a heavenly ministry.

Accepting or rejecting royal promotion is one of the greatest temptations that confront people. But as believers with a heavenly ministry, we must ask God for the grace to say no to the temptation. Like the vine in the parable, we contribute to the joy and cheerfulness of God. We must not forsake this privilege in favour of a small percentage of the world’s population.

We are called to reach a wider scope with the interpretation and application of the story of Christ’s sacrifice for us. The Ethiopian eunuch and the whole city of Samaria were joyful because Philip brought the gospel to them. We, too, cause immense joy in heaven when one person turns to Christ in repentance, through our soul winning efforts.

Therefore, we should stand where God puts us, and not desire “to be promoted over (men) to our detriment .

• Further reading (King James Version): Judges 9:8-13,23,24; 6:34,35; Judges 9:8-13; Judges 9:8,9; Ecclesiastes 12:13,14; John 5:44; Hebrews 5:4,5. Judges 9:10,11; Proverbs 27:18; Matthew 21:19-21; Mark 13:28-31. Judges 9:12,13; Song of Solomon 1:6; Isaiah 5:1-7; John 15:1-8. Judges 9:23,24. Judges 9:23,24; Isaiah 33:1; Galatians 6:7; Romans 2:6-11. 2 Samuel 15:4,6,10-13; 17:14; 18:9,14; Proverbs 11:19. 2 Kings 11:1-4,12-16; Revelation 16:5-7; 20:11-15. Hebrews 11:24-27. Hebrews 11:24-26; Acts 7:21,22; Psalm 119:30; Ecclesiastes 8:9. John 6:15; Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 1:15; Matthew 1:21.Luke 22:25-27; Philippians 2:3-8; Acts 26:16-23; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20.