GREAT EXPECTATIONS

We have learned that in every generation, God has always sought out people He could relate to in a special way. 

However, a careful study of such people will indicate that, ‘God’s people’ had come from various ‘professional groups and backgrounds’. 

What God has been looking out for, are men and women, who, out of total commitment and dedication, are prepared to be used by, and for His glory. 

Moses was initially trained for forty years in the Egyptian palace. He was being groomed as a future pharaoh, having been adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. 

Later, he had to flee the country, for the fear of his life, after killing an Egyptian. He then became a shepherd in the wilderness for the next forty years. 

However, as things turned out, for the next forty years of his life, he became the greatest leader of the nation of Israel. 

He led them out of slavery from Egypt. At the right time, God, ‘called him into ministry’,(Ex. 3:1ff). 

On their way to the land of Canaan, God, for the security and safety of His people, led the two spies going to scout the land, into the house of a harlot.  

That woman had faith in the LORD GOD of the Israelites, and therefore gave protection to the spies. That simple act, brought salvation to her whole family,(Joshua 2:1ff.).

In the end, she became one of the two women whose names appear in the genealogical list of Jesus Christ.(Matth. 1:5).

Deborah, was a housewife and mother, but God also saw her as a prophetess and judge. In addition to that, God made her a military commander and warrior, who brought victory in battle to the nation of Israel,(Judges 485). 

Again, David was first seen as a simple young shepherd, not even fully accounted for in his family. Yet, God turned him into a handsome harp player, a psalmist, a giant killer, a soldier and the best king of Israel. 

Elisha was a big time farmer, with his own workers, employed on his farm. But again, at the right time, God called him to work in His vineyard as a prophet. 

Through that call, he became one of the greatest and most powerful prophets in Israel,(1Kings 19:19-21). 

Amos, too was, a ‘sheepbreeder and a tender of sycamore fruit’. But God saw it fit in making him an international evangelist. 

He then sent him to the Northern Kingdom, to preach against the idolatrous practices going on there,(Amos 7:14-15). 

Both Amos and Micah, were what I call, ‘market place prophets and preachers’. 

Unlike what we have today in our markets, where people are preaching for cash, Amos and Micah, preached in the markets, and warned the traders against getting themselves involved in trading malpractices, such as cheating and profiteering.(Amos 8: 4-6; Micah 6:10-15). 

Among Jesus’ disciples were, fishermen, tax collectors, and freedom fighters/veranda boys. 

Yet, Jesus was able to bind them together into a formidable team for kingdom business. 

On one of His rounds, He met an adulterous Samaritan woman, who appeared to be a very good debater. However, at the end of their discussions, Jesus was able to turn her into a local preacher and evangelist. 

Without any motivation from anyone, she went home to her town, telling everyone she met about her new found Friend,Jesus,(John 4:1ff.). 

On another occasion, Jesus went on a mission trip with His disciples into the region of Genaseres. 

He was met on arrival by a mad man, who simply could not be controlled by anyone, by any means. 

He was naked as well as very violent. Jesus had compassion on him and delivered him from his disgrace. 

His deliverance from demonic oppression, led to the loss of about two thousand pigs. 

The people of that area, were more concerned about the pigs than the man who had been set free. Obviously, the miracle had adversely affected the economic situation of some of the people. 

So in fear, they pleaded with Jesus, to leave their community. But the man who had been delivered requested that Jesus allowed him to follow Him. 

Jesus refused that request, but instead, He asked the man to go back home and tell his people the great things God had done for him. 

That, more or less useless man, became an evangelist, spreading the Good News of the kingdom of God. 

Again, Jesus, ‘saw’ this young learned lawyer, philosopher, politician, and religious bigot, called Saul. This young man, Saul, was one of the most violent opponents of the new faith, then called, The Way. 

Jesus confronted him on his way to Damascus, where he was going to harass the Christians. It was then that he had his turn-around. 

Through that revelation, his name was changed to Paul. Jesus then turned him into a brilliant theologian and an early Church apologetic. 

From then on, as he himself testifies, without any consultation with anyone, he became an international evangelist.(Gal. 1:16).

Fishermen, tax collectors, lawyers, doctors, politicians, sex workers are all capable of being drafted into the Master’s Team of ‘vessels of honour’, for His glory. 

Many of the early Christian missionaries, who helped in the introduction of Christianity into Africa, were ordinary carpenters, brick layers, farmers and the like. 

They were mostly, ‘untrained theologians’, but they were all on fire for God. Many of them died soon after their arrival, but more and more of them kept on coming, until Christianity had gained grounds in our land. 

Those were men and women who were on fire for God. Even death could not stop them from preaching the Good News. 

We can see then, that God has never had ‘a team of extraordinary champions’, to execute His a agenda. 

He rather looks out for ordinary people, who are turned into worthy instruments in His hands, for the Kingdom’s business. 

Teachers, lawyers, politicians, doctors, fitters, farmers and the like are the people God uses. 

One fact is that, if just half of the people who call themselves Christians in Ghana, preach the Gospel with their lives in their homes, communities, workplaces and the churches, our country would be a better place to live in. 

You and I, may not be as good as Paul as orators, but in our own small ways, we can be fruitful instruments in His hands for the preaching of the Good News. 

The Lord is depending upon us all to preach the good news to the lost world we live in, to give it hope and peace. 

Some of us may not be good orators like Paul and Peter, but in our own small ways, we can tell the world about the love of Christ. 

May this hymn challenge us to wake up and preach the message of hope to the struggling world:

Hark! the voice of Jesus crying:

“Who will go and work today?

Fields are white and harvest waiting:

Who will bear the sheaves away?”

Loud and strong the Master calleth,

Rich reward He offers thee;

Who will answer, gladly saying,

“Here am I, send me, send me”?

2

If you cannot speak like angels,

If you cannot preach like Paul,

You can tell the love of Jesus,

You can say He died for all. 

If you cannot rouse the wicked 

With the judgement’s dread alarms,

You can lead the little children 

To the Saviour’s waiting arms. 

4.

Let none hear you idly saying, 

“There is nothing I can do”.

While the souls of men are dying,

And the Master calls for you. 

Take the task He gives you gladly,

Let His work your pleasure be;

Answer quickly when He calleth,

“Here am I: send me, send me!”

May the good Lord in His own wisdom produce jewels of honour and hope, and send us into vineyard. 

Rev. Kwame Dankyi Ansong. PhD.