IT IS NOT YET OVER FOR ANYONE UNTIL GOD SAYS IT IS ALL OVER. FOR OUR SAKES, PROTOCOLS CAN BE SUSPENDED OR SET ASIDE, TIME AND SEASONS CAN BE COMPRESSED FOR ANYONE TO TAP INTO HIS 11TH HOUR MIRACLE BY HIS MERCY AND FAVOUR.
And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the Lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
Matthew 20:6-12 KJV
This parable is very very interesting if we are able to flow with it. I woke up at about 12:10am to do some work on my computer when the Spirit of the Lord began to engage me with this particular scriptural passage and I will like to share with you my readers. Possibly very soon I will make a video on this in our upcoming Word, Spirit And Prayers program. Kindly subscribe and join our YouTube channel for notification: Bisola Hephzi-bah Johnson – YouTube.
Right now, let me start with the word “Meditation”, which according to the book of Joshua 1:8 means to think about something over and over with deeper thoughtfulness, such as to cogitate, brood, or to ruminate. Mind you, God is not expecting us to think about evil but as Phillipians 4:8 says, “Whatever is good report, pure and lovely; we must think about.” And the Word of the fits into this module.
This meditation can be liken to the eating habits of some animals, particularly cattle that eats Cud. Cud is a portion of food that returns from this animal’s stomach back to the mouth to be chewed for the second time. This Cud is produced during a digestive process called rumination. Cattle, deer, sheep, goats and antelope are some examples of animals that chew their cud.
They usually have food reserve somewhere between their stomach and mouth. After feeding, some of the food they had eaten are stored to be recalls for thorough chew. You may see them in a position as if they are dosing, but their mouths will endlessly chewing the food until it is well soften. Chewing cud produces saliva which is important for controlling rumen acidity. The exercise helps producing milk, saliva and good digestion. Food scientists encourages even man to eat slowly and chew our food very thouroughly before swallowing.
This is the exact manner God wants us to meditate on His Word, so that we can gets the benefits of full richess of His Word, and the hard raw material taken from the Word can become soft enough to understand to become revelations to our spirit man. You may not get the full benefits if you just read the scripture like a newspaper and dump your Bible somewhere afterward, the Word must be in our heart as we go about our duties.
Now, let’s get into the matter of the day. Meditating on the parable Jesus gave concerning workers in the vineyard gave me deeper understanding of this passage which the Lord shared amongst many other parables with His followers. The master of the vineyard was a man who wishes to give other people opportunity to better their lives, no-matter the timing of the day. Jesus is saying here that God is always willing to give anyone opportunity in life; but are we willing or ready for this opportunity? If we study the way Jesus called His disciples to follow Him, we would see that He met them doing something. They were not jobless or loafing around even the job they were doing was not the best of jobs, but they kept moving. This is what it means that “Whatever your hands finds to do, do with all your might (Ecclesiastes 9:10).”
Now, if God wants to give us opportunity and we are not interested, do we think He would force us? Definitely not. Isaiah 1:19 says, “If you are willing, you will eat the good of the land.” Even if you have no job at some point, willingness to be engaged is very important. You cannot say you are willing to get a job when all you do everyday is sleeping and going to places where you go to play games. We must be strategic in positioning ourselves by learning skills, going to school in readiness to occupy high places. If God want to call you into ministry and you refused to equip yourself with the Word and surrender to the Power of the Holy Spirit, what will you teach people? Definitely, you will only be selling oil, water and handkerchives.
I remember the story of a man who had opportunity to meet with his primary school classmate who had pursued education in life to become a Governor of the State, while the mate refused to improve on himself by either go to school or learn skills to better his life. When this unusual lifetime opportunity came to him, the Governor asked his friend what he could do for him, he would have been made a commissioner, or be engaged as a contractor but unfortunately, he was not prepared for any of the opprotunity. All the friend could offer him was some feeding money that may not sustain him past few days and his circle of poverty lifestyle continue. And it is not everyday thing to meet with a Governor, therefore, we must be ready and strategic.
It is true we all love and need good life, good things don’t fall into places without planning and walking on the Pathway. For the people in the parable text (Matthew 20:6-12, though, they were jobless, they left their bed behind, and they positioned themselves where they could be seen and engaged. They showed willingness.
STRATEGIC POSITIONING
- The people invited to work were not in their home sleeping and believing what will be will be, they positioned themselves where they could be reached for job appointment.
- They did not deny the fact that they needed jobs, they came out to hunts for jobs.
- Peter and many disciples of Jesus were not lay-about, they were into something like: fishing, tax collection and other jobs when they were called to follow the Lord.
- Unfortunately many today are in churches shouting “I receive, I receive” without working out their salvation with fear and trembling. We cannot use laziness solve joblessness. The scripture says, Faith and work; not work alone or faith alone.
John 14:17 says, ” 17the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him, and doesn’t recognize Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.” This is another mind blowing passage to meditate on. Why can’t the world have the Holy Spirit when the gift is meant for all. The scripture says the world cannot have Him because they are not interested in Him. We don’t appreciate what we don’t seek.
Another important question along this line should be: what if Jesus Christ returns today as He promised? Are we ready to meet with the Master and go with Him? Do you think you can be raptured in a beer parlour? Let us ask ourselves. The scripture says, “Today (not tomorrow) is the day of salvation 2Corithians 6:2. Procrastination or pushing things that ought to be done immediately is an enemy of the soul.
The beginning of the woes of the unprofitable servant (Luke 17:5-10) was fear to engage in the marketplace, wasted opportunity or gift given to him, and pride. Pride in the sense that we may think one job is too low for us. At least, let us do something, and whatever we do will be a stepping stone to a greater height. In this journey, we must not be weary because some people’s time may be eleveth hour (last minute).
IT IS NOT YET OVER FOR ANYONE UNTIL GOD SAYS IT IS ALL OVER. FOR OUR SAKES, PROTOCOLS CAN BE SUSPENDED OR SET ASIDE, TIME AND SEASONS CAN BE COMPRESSED FOR ANYONE TO TAP INTO HIS 11TH HOUR MIRACLE BY HIS MERCY AND FAVOUR. The last people that were engaged in that passage may not qualified because of timing but the Master went ahead to call them because they were willing and positioned rightly. None was sent to be called from home, it is those on ground that were used; and they were rewarded handsomely. This call for resolute, and prayer for last minute strenght. Moses was called into the ministry at the age of 80years when others are at the brink of death. Moses didn’t give up because he once failed. The most ridiculous job is to work for your father in law which Moses did with all pleasure. You could be labeled as a gold digger, shameless fellow but Moses knew he needed to hold that job tentatively till the promise of God come to manifestation in his life and God never fails (Numbers 23:19.
Those who laugh at your condition today will glorify God through your advancement tomorrow. Don’t be discouraged because of your age or because your age mates had gone ahead of you in life, be resolute, prayerful and be strategic in getting ready to receive your miracle. You may be commonized today, but within yourself you know you are of royalty, what you are waiting for is the time your King will come to fulfil His plans and purpose for your life. Help is on the way; wait for it.
Keep the faith. Don’t stop working, the rewarder is faithful.
I pray that the Holy Spirit of God will help us to fulfilled His call upon our lives in Jesus Mighty Name. Till I come your way again if Jesus Christ tarries….
Shalom
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