God and Substitutes

Do you know that God uses substitutes? Just like how a school Principal uses substitutes in place of a teacher who is not available to teach a class. Let’s go through the Bible for evidence of this:

• First Adam and the second & last Adam

1 Corinthians 15:45 says, “And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” The last Adam was the substitute of the first Adam, and he had greater accomplishment/impact on humankind.

• I have chosen/ provided a king for myself:

1 Samuel 16:1 says, “Now the Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.”’ God rejected Saul as King over Israel and provided a substitute, an anointed King. Vs 12b -13, “..’Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!’ And Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him (David) in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.”

• Raise up children from stones:

Matthew 3:9, “And do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” This is a reminder that you must not serve God in a nonchalant manner. If you are not committed in your service, God can raise people from stones to do his will.

• Let another take his post:

Acts 1:24-25, “And they prayed and said, ‘You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.’” This is an example of when the remaining eleven disciples prayed that God should choose a replacement/substitute of Judas Iscariot. And God chose that replacement.

• The Cornerstone:

1 Peter 2:7b, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone” The Israelites rejected Christ and God substituted them for the gentiles. This is a stone that has been rejected.

Other references to study: Psalms 8:2; Psalms 41:9; Psalm 118:2.

If you shut your mouth to praise God but open it to complain, either to Him or His anointed ones, let me tell you that He will surely raise up a substitute who will do his will cheerfully and faithfully. Right now, this is your time and season. Don’t let this opportunity slip from you. Accept Christ now, tomorrow might be too late.

Let us Pray: Father God, I humbly come to you in total repentance. Accept me as your child. Please, do not substitute me with anything or anyone. Help me to stand up for you all the days of my life in Jesus Mighty Name I have prayed. Amen

Writer: Pastor Mrs. Dorcas Akinleyimu