1 Samuel 17:32 (NIV) David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
Isaiah 6:8 (NIV) “Then I heard to voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Luke 1:38 (NIV) “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.”
Three faithful servants—young David facing Goliath, a wise prophet, and Mary—the mother of our Savior. All willing to do what seemed at the time and circumstances to be a task beyond reasonability. Yet they obeyed and they were faithful to God in presenting their lives as a willing and obedient sacrifice to service for God. In an odd sort of way I wonder if this is what initiates our hesitation and fear of responding to God’s leading and guiding in our lives. Do we freeze up and convince ourselves, “What if he asks me to physically go somewhere?” “What if I can’t do it?” “What if my family disagrees or, worse, thinks it’s silly?” I could probably generate pages of “What if..” scenarios, but I’m sure by now you get the idea. Or the other route we take is that of making excuses such as, “I don’t know how to do…” “I’m not very good at…” “I’m too young…too old…too tired…, etc.” I think the real problem might be that we look at biblical examples from the perspective of the famous people they became. What if we looked at these same examples from the perspective of the people who they actually were at the time they were called to service—a shepherd boy, a senior, and a teenage girl?
To be clear, there are dozens of other examples of faithful servants recorded in the Bible and I have only selected three. The point is, no matter what God asked of people then, he always supplied the skill, talent, and/or means to accomplish whatever he asked them to do according to his plans and purposes. He gave them strength, courage, and the know-how. In return, they gave the LORD themselves—just as they were.
Now is the time to free ourselves from fear of the unknown and stop making excuses. The only thing required of us is to present ourselves to God with a willing heart. Ironically, God has already provided you with an active duty service manual—the Bible, God’s Holy Word. Read it. Study it. Put it into practice. Never tire of doing what is right.
Philippians 4:9 (NIV) Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or see in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 (NIV) And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
James 1:22 (NLT) But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
You have supplied us with everything we need to accomplish the tasks and opportunities of service you place before us. Forgive us when we hesitate or make excuses. Reassure us that one of the most important things we can do is to spread your gospel to a lost world. Give us the courage and resolve to honor the truth of your Word in whatever circumstances you place us. We give our willing hearts to you to use for your glory and honor.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Amen.
The devotional A Willing Heart appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
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