3/5 Strength for Today

Used to Be
Jeremiah 26:9
“Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.”

There is a statement made by the Prophet Jeremiah that should cause every Christian to wake up. Jeremiah said, “This house shall be like Shiloh…” The reason Jeremiah made this statement is because Shiloh used to be the place where the tabernacle of God was set up. After the conquest of Canaan, Joshua set up the tabernacle in this city of Shiloh. This city became the seat of government during the time of Joshua. Imagine, this city used to be a happening place. This city experienced the presence of God. This city knew what it was like to have the power of God in it, because it had the ark of the covenant in its borders. The history of this city was very rich.

Yet, that is the problem, this city is now history. This city is a “used to be.” They now say this city is simply a pile of ruins. In fact, five hundred years after its destruction it was simply a place that was mentioned by Jeremiah. Here was a city that used to be the place of God's presence that was soon forgotten because God's presence had left it. Christian, don't ever let this be your story.

Every once in awhile I will talk to people who knew some men of God from the past who were great preachers and church builders. We will fondly talk about hearing them preach and what God did through their ministry. Then when I leave the conversation, I am saddened by the fact that these men are still alive, but because of sin they are a “used to be.” Don't get me wrong, every one of us is capable of becoming a “used to be.” I am not judging these men, I am only trying to warn you not to become a “used to be.”

Christian, sin will cause you to be a person who used to be used by God quicker than anything else. There are many Christians who used to be used by God greatly who let sin ruin their usefulness. Whatever you do, don't let sin ruin your usefulness to God.

Furthermore, there are other Christians who used to do great things for God, but they chose to step back and can now only talk about what they used to do. Are you one of those who used to do a lot for God? The Devil loves to get Christians who talk about what they used to do instead of talking about what they are presently doing for God. Don't allow yourself to step back! This is not a time for Christians to step back; instead this is a time for Christians to step up.

Let me ask you this question, are you a person who used to do something for God? Has sin caused you to become a “used to be?” Let me assure you that you don't have to stay a “used to be.” There are many people who got right with God whom God used again. God is the God of a second chance. Ask God to help you not to become a “used to be” Christian, and then get busy serving the LORD so that you don't have to talk about what you used to do, but what you are doing. Simply put, don't be a historian, be a history maker for God!