OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL – WEDNESDAY – 14/10/2015 – THE SUPER NEED – BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

THE SUPER NEED

Memorise

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:42

Read

Luke 10:38-42

38  Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 

39  And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 

40  But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 

41  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 

42  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. 

Message

When a person chases several rats in different directions, the most likely outcome is that none of those rats will be caught. In life, we are often barraged with so many competing issues at the same time, most of which legitimately deserve our attention. There is therefore the need to become more focused, in order to be effective in our pursuits. In day to day activities of life, we are often torn between wants and needs. Wants can be defined as known valuable things which people desire and would like to own. Needs on the other hand may be known or unknown, liked or disliked, but they satisfy a requirement of life. A sick fellow needs to see a doctor for treatment, whether he likes the idea or not. This is a need. Needs are often very crucial and relate to the necessities of life such as food, transport, clothing and shelter. Sometimes, the way a person goes about satisfying a need can transform that desire to a want and not a need. Take for instance the fellow who requires a car to move from his house to his office every day. Almost any normal car can meet this need; but if the fellow decides to buy a Ferrari to meet this need, the desire for a Ferrari has turned that need into a want.

To become more prudent, you should focus on your needs and down play your wants. If you acquire all the wealth on planet earth, the day you die, you will realise the futility of being unable to take any of it with you. The reality of this fact made Apostle Paul to admonish us that we should imbibe the virtue of contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-8). Even among needs, a scale of priorities should be applied. Needs are of varying degrees of importance. In Luke 10:38-42, while visiting two sisters, the Lord plainly told them this:

 "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:42

He was speaking of a super need. It is good to be nice to people, and it is good to be hospitable; but better than all these is the need to sit at the feet of Jesus, studying, reading, meditating, hearing and memorising His words. The brethren who apply the "No Bible, no breakfast" principle have understood the need to subordinate all other legitimate needs under the super need of all - the Word of God. Are you giving the Word its rightful place in your life? The Word should come first. How much time do you set aside for the Bible daily?

Prayer Point

Father, in whatever situation I find myself, grant me grace to always give You priority.

Bible in one year

Numbers 18-19; 

2 Corinthians 10