ESOCS Devotional 12 November 2024 – Occupy Till I Come
MEMORY VERSE: “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, ‘Occupy till I come’” Luke 19:13 KJV
TEXT: LUKE 19:11-27
Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. 12 Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’
15 “And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ 19 Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’
20 “Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. 21 For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’
24 “And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ 25 (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) 26 ‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 27 But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’ ”
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The charge to occupy is a further enforcement of man’s creation mandate. The master in our text delivered pounds to the servants, just the same way God blessed man during creation. Upon handing the pounds to them, he instructed them to occupy. When God blessed them, He commanded man as follows: “And God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Gen. 1:28).
Therefore, the command of the master that they occupy till he comes, implies take full possession of the kingdom. It was a command to take charge and be in control. It was a mandate of total dominance and territorial control. For you and I, the meaning is that God placed us on earth to take full possession: “Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours…” (Deuteronomy 11:24), Yes! Be in charge of your territory, both physically and spiritually. Take full control of your domain. Till Jesus comes, no devil nor witch is permitted to claim ownership of the earth and the territory God has given to us. Therefore, we must rise and take possession of the earth.
The command further implies that we take responsibility. Take responsibility for the happenings on the earth. It means we should assume our responsibility as God’s Kingdom citizens to give direction to our generation. Take responsibility to change the cause of action in the land and effect the desired change and transformation. Take responsibility for the salvation of the souls of the people. Take responsibility for the healing and deliverance of the people. Don’t just exist with an ‘I don’t care mentality’.
This command also means to be accountable. When I come, I will hold you accountable for all that transpired in the land. Beloved, exist on each day possessing the earth with a sense of responsibility and accountability, as Jesus tarries.
- Be in charge of your space and territory; don’t leave it open for the devil.
- Live with a sense of responsibility to God and man.
- Live with a sense of accountability always.
- Lord, we are grateful for trusting us with such heavy mandate; give us the grace not to disappoint you but to fulfil this purpose, in Jesus name. Amen.
Further Reading: Proverbs 18:9-end; 2 Corinthians 1:1-14
ESOCS Devotional 12 November 2024
