Holy vessels, unholy uses

Then they brought in the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. Daniel 5:3

The events in chapter 5 in the book of Daniel occur about 23 years after the death of King Nebuchadnezzar. The setting of Daniel 5:1 is a party/banquet hall where we see Belshazzar making the mistake of using the temple goblets, that were dedicated for worship in God’s temple, to drink wine from them and raise a toast to the idols/gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone. Belshazzar treated the holy as unholy.

In Leviticus 8:10-11, we see Moses had anointed the tabernacle and everything in the tabernacle, so it was consecrated to the Lord. To consecrate means “to be clean; pronounce  clean (ceremonially or morally); to consecrate to God; declare as holy; treat as holy.” It signifies an act or state in which people or things are set aside and reserved exclusively for God. But the scenario here shows us that the holy things of God were being used for unholy purposes!

If you are saved and have received Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you are a holy vessel. Did you know that? 2 Timothy 2:20-21 tells us we are holy vessels in the house of God. In Ephesians 1:1, Paul calls the believers he’s writing to ‘saints’ and, in verse 4, the word ‘holy’ is ‘hagios’ — that is to say, separated from ordinary or common usage and devoted to God. You, dear child of God, are holy, as you have been brought into a relationship with God. You are designated by Him as having a sacred purpose or special significance.

Satan loves subtlety

The above mentioned truth is the reality in the life of a child of God. But the flip side of this reality is that Satan has no greater agenda or motive than to desecrate what God consecrates. Satan’s methods are many, but one of his specialities is reflected in Daniel 5:2-3. Satan cannot inhabit those of us who are in Christ because we are sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). But if he gains our cooperation, he can use us for his purposes. Subtlety is one of Satan’s trademark tools and so often, we are unaware that we are cooperating. Think about this:

Subtlety is one of Satan’s trademark tools and so often, we are unaware that we are cooperating with him

• Have we, the people of God, ever been used by the enemy to tear down our home or church?
• Have we been used by the enemy to cause others to either stumble or have less faith?
• Have we been cynics or scoffers with regard to spiritual matters and disciplines?
• Have we treated someone dishonourably, even though we were Christians, and now we think it’s too late to fix it?

Each point above shows a way Satan can use a holy vessel to “toast” an unholy cause. God does not overlook or ignore Satan’s mistreatment of holy vessels. Amazingly, vessels that have been treated as unholy can be treated as holy again (see 2 Timothy 2:20-21).

Repentance of sin is one of the most wonderful privileges God has given us through the cross. Incredibly, when we repent, we become as white as snow (Psalm 51:7), pure and totally restored to fellowship with God (1 John 1:6-7). It is good to remember that we haven’t repented, until we experience what 2 Corinthians 7:10 calls “godly sorrow”.

Godly sorrow is the kind that brings about repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret. Sin that is not recognised or sin that is cherished will be a hindrance in your walk with the Lord and your progress to bearing good and abundant fruit. Remember, you are God’s holy child and God wants you prepared for great use.

So, have the boldness to ask God to give you godly sorrow over any way you made the enemy’s day. Go to your heavenly Father, and repent over those things with all your heart. He waits for you, as our Father does not set His holy vessels on shelves — He desires to put them to great use.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You alone are perfectly holy. I thank you for making unholy people (including me) holy through the cross of Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son. O Lord, I confess and repent of my sin of knowingly and unknowingly cooperating with the enemy to toast unholy causes. Forgive me, Lord, and thank You for Your mercy, which is always more than my sin. I stand in awe of how You put Your holy vessels to use. Help me to bear good fruit to the honour and glory of Your holy name. In Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.