Apologetics

God Has Alternatives 2

by Olawale Ogunsola
10/15/23
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For every human being, this life is full of options from which he can make choices. The alternatives are always readily available. As many as they are, yet they are limited.

On the other hand, God Who created all things alone has unlimited alternatives. The Songwriter of Israel declares in Psalm 24:1. thus,
"The earth is the Lord's, and fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein." NKJV.

Therefore, He has the absolute right to choose from the pool of alternatives on the Earth, and in the world. Remember that He is also the Creator and Owner of Heavens and their contents, Genesis 1:1. These also contain innumerable alternatives to choose from.

As a result of these, no one is indispensable. No one can or should see himself to be too valuable or important before God. If He chooses to use you for His glory, be grateful to Him. He has others available awaiting His order or instructions to act. That is the reason you have to do His work, in any form He had appointed you, exactly the way He instructs you. Doing it in your way may put you at risk of being replaced. Do you know what? The alternatives are better than you.

This was the case with the first king of Israel, Saul. He was the desire of the people. He was God's provision for the request of His people for a king. It was a rejection of God's direct leadership in the life of Samuel who was at the time their Prophet, Priest, and faithful Judge. King Saul walked with the God of Israel for two years before he went his ways which did not please the Lord. The shocking result remains,
"The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today, and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you." 1 Samuel 15:28, NKJV.

This is clear evidence that God does not only have multitudes of alternatives but better ones. That is why you need to act right in the works you have been commanded to do by your Creator. Otherwise, you run the risk of being replaced by a better person. The alternatives are there for Him, therefore, watch.

Let me bring here the matter of Prophet Elijah. What happened? He was a great Prophet who was mightily used by God. When he decreed a thing, it came to pass immediately, 1 Kings 17:1-3. Such a decree remained until the Lord intervenes by telling him His mind and the next on His timetable, 1 Kings 18:1-3,41-46.

At a point in time, the Prophet started telling people,
"I alone am left a Prophet of the Lord..." 1 Kings 18:22.
He did not stop at that, he repeated those words in his direct encounter with the Lord two times, in the first Kings chapter nineteen in verses ten and fourteen. The Lord proved him wrong by saying, "...anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also, you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi a king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat... you shall anoint as Prophet in your place...."

Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." 1 Kings 19:15-17.

Please, think deeply on these words, "Elisha... you shall anoint a Prophet in your place." and "I have reserved seven thousand in Israel..."

One, the Lord made it known to Elijah that he had been replaced and he was the one to transfer his power to his successor. This ignited a fire of envy in the great Prophet because he did not anoint Elisha but covered him with his mantle. It is not wrong to conclude that the remaining days in the Ministry were spent by Elijah to train Elisha.

God has alternatives! God has better alternatives!!

The Lord proved His supremacy by disclosing to the Prophet who felt he alone remained the Prophet of God that there remained seven thousand people who were potential Prophets or they can be called, "Hidden Prophets", 1 Kings 28:12-13. That is God for you in action.

To you now, with the analysis so far, I think you should know that the Lord has nothing to lose if you fail in your assignment to work in the lives of others for the glory of God. He has alternatives and He can replace you (God forbid) with someone better than you. Not only that, you may suffer a loss in any form. Trust the Lord, He has alternatives, even better ones. All that you need is trust and rest in the Lord for His next plans for your life. Live with Him! Remain with Him!! Obey Him!!!
Stay blessed and prepared for the imminent coming of the Lord.

Note: NKJV is New King James Version of the Holy Bible.