Don’t Mistake Being Used

We remember how King Nebuchadnezzar was appointed by God to take hold of the exiled Israelites. King Neduchadnezzar was used as an instrument by God to enact judgement on God’s people due to their rebellion, idolatry, and stubbornness of heart. Continually, through God’s prophets, God sent word of correction, word of warning, word of impending doom to the children of Israel, but they hated God’s Word. They refused to hear and to repent. Instead, consumed by their own evil desires, they turned to false gods. 


Some might say that King Nebuchadnezzar was God’s choice because he had rulership over God’s people, but perhaps the king was only an instrument in the hand of God. Was Nebuchadnezzar a servant of God, or was he only appointed by God without having his heart turned toward God. Was he set in place to rule, but not commissioned or sent? Was he appointed but not anointed? He played a significant part in the fulfillment of the 70 years of exile that Prophet Jeremiah warned Israel of, but he did not uphold the statues of God. In fact, he promoted idolatry with the golden image and commanded God’s people to worship the false god. Nebuchadnezzar wrestled with his ego, his lust for power, and his self-sovereignty despite acknowledging the God of Israel was the God of all gods (Daniel 2:47). Anointed implied the hand of God, the yoke breaking power of God upon him, but instead he created yokes and willfully led people astray. Was he used by God but not surrendered to God (at least for a portion of his lifetime)? 


Let us not confuse being used by God for true intimate knowledge of God. Don’t mistake being used by God for walking with God. Don’t mistake being used by God for having a relationship with the Creator. Because how can we say that we know God, that we walk with God, that we are near to God and our lives and hearts do not reflect God. It is impossible to dwell in the light and to exemplify darkness. It is impossible to be intimate with the Almighty and to not be inspired to surrender and to change. It is impossible to abide in the True Vine and not produce fruit unto holiness. If you are able to abide with the True Vine and still everything in you and everything around you continues to look like sin, I suggest that you are abiding in your version of God and not the True and Living God. 


Don’t mistake being used. Surrender your heart and life to the One who is worthy. For He knows the plans He has for you. That if you will seek Him with your whole heart, He will be found by you. 


Jeremiah 25

Jeremiah 28

Jeremiah 29

John 15: 4-11

1 John 1

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