The Best of Man

IF PEOPLE were watching your life story on a large screen, what would they say about you?

When Queen Sheba saw Solomon, she said: The report which I heard in my own land about your words and wisdom is true!

I did not believe the report until I came and saw it with my own eyes. Behold, the half of it was not told to me. You exceed in wisdom and prosperity the report which I heard. How blessed (fortunate, happy) are your men! How blessed are these your servants who stand continually before you, hearing your wisdom! (1 Kings 10:6-8)

Paul saw the best of God in Timothy, and reminded him to fan into flame the gracious gift of God, [that inner fire—the special endowment] which he received through the laying on of hands. (2 Timothy 1:5-6)

PEOPLE’S interaction with you will mirror how they see you, and they will treat you based on what they think of you.

Mirror

When Simon hosted Jesus, he saw the woman with the alabaster box as a sinner. So when she anointed Jesus, he said:

“If this Man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him, that she is a notorious sinner, an outcast, devoted to sin.” But Jesus forgave her sins. (Luke 7:36-48)

When BLIND BARTIMAEUS shouted Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me, they shouted him down and told him to be quiet. (Mark 10:46-52)

They tried to silence him. They were going nowhere, so they wanted him to remain where he was.

They had no expectation, and they did not want him to have any. However, Jesus wanted him to have one.

Likewise, he wants you to have an expectation.

Jesus said: “Ask and you will receive. Seek and you'll find. Knock and it shall be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

JESUS was touched when some men came carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed.

They tried bringing him and laying him down in front of Jesus.

But finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof [and removed some tiles to make an opening] and lowered him through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus.

When Jesus saw their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], He said, “Man, your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 5:17-39)

The sick man was surrounded by friends who did the needful to get him to Jesus.

People around you can act like a double-edged sword—they can push you into your miracle or hold you back; they can be a blessing or a curse.

NAAMAN’S staff were a blessing to him.

When he got angry because the prophet did not lay hands on him, his staff told him that if the Man of God had told him to do something greater, he would have done it.

So Naaman plunged into the river seven times as instructed and came out with fresh skin. Naaman was blessed with good people. (2 Kings 5)

If God will bless you, he will send men; if the enemy will attack you, he will send men. The best of men is men.

BARTIMAEUS was in his talk-down moment, but Jesus believed in him.

He stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, telling him, “Take courage, get up! He is calling for you.”

“Go; your faith [and confident trust in My power] has made you well.”

Immediately, he regained his sight and began following Jesus. (Mark 10: 46-52)

When God intervenes in your matter, he gives you hope.

You will not begin from the beginning; you will continue from where you stopped.

Final Thought

Hope in God is defiance in the face of adversity.