“I
have something I want you to do for me,” God said.
Sarah: “Me? I’m too old!” (Genesis 18:12-13)
Moses: “I’m not qualified.” (Exodus 4:10)
Gideon: “Not me. I’m nobody.” (Judges 6: 15)
Esther: “I am afraid.” (Esther 4:11)
Jeremiah: “I am too young!” (Jeremiah 1:6)
Jonah: “I don’t want to.” (Jonah 1:1)
John: “I’m not good enough.” (Matthew 3:11)
Philip: “I can’t afford to!” (John 6:5-7)
Peter: “I’ve never done that before.” (Acts 10:14)
Do
these excuses sound familiar? Each one is the initial response of an individual
whom God called to serve. How very much like us these men and women were. And
yet, God used them to accomplish His purposes.
How
were these reluctant and unqualified servants able to fulfill God’s call? Judges
6 holds three keys to setting aside fears and failures to do what God asks: “Go,
in the strength you have…I will be with you.” (vs. 14-16)
Key
1:
Take the initial step of faith. God simply said, “Go, Gideon.” “Go, Esther.” “Go,
Moses.”
Key
2:
Use the strengths you have. God starts with what we have. Look at these examples:
With a handful of flour and a bit of olive oil, the widow of Zarephath
prepared food for her, her son and Elijah for many days. (1 Kings 17: 10-16)
Esther had only her beauty to offer, yet through her God delivered
his people from their enemies. (Esther 9:22)
The disciples found only one little boy with a small lunch but
were able to feed 5,000 men, not counting the women and children. (John 6:11)
Key
3:
Remember, God is with us. With God, we can do whatever is asked of us. We
can say with the assurance of Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)
While
what God asks may seem impossible under our own power and strength, Matthew
19:26 tells us “With God all things are possible.” When we say “Yes!” in
response to God’s call, we never act alone. God is ever-present.
Sometimes,
like us, even the faith giants of old needed reminded of this truth:
God says to Joshua, “I will always be with you; I will never
abandon you.” (Joshua 1:5b)
Jesus encourages the disciples, “Be sure of this: I am with you
always." (Matt. 28:20)
God assures Paul, "Do not be afraid and do not give up for I
am with you.” (Acts 18:9-10)
God
calls ordinary people like us—people aware of their weaknesses, shortcomings, and
failures—to do the extraordinary through His power at work in us. There is no
excuse we can come up with that God hasn’t already heard. So, when God calls, may
we be like Mary and say, “Yes, Lord. I am Your servant. May it happen as You
have said.” (Luke 1:38)
Be encouraged!
Pam©2019 Pamela D. Williams
writepam71@gmail.com
