Feb 3, 2010

The Ways of God Part 3: The Things God Uses

Supporting Scripture: Jonah 1:1-4, 2:1-10, 3:4-9; 4:8-11; 1 Samuel 17:34-50; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 5:1-11; John 5:33-34, 6:1-14, 19:17-18.
Exodus 1:8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.

The closer we get to God, the better we understand Him. There is awesome beauty in the fine detail of God’s work.As a photographer, I can take a wide angle shot of a field of flowers, and make a nice picture. However, I enjoy an extreme close-up of one bloom even more because it reveals the wonderful intricacy of the Creator’s design.

If I asked you to describe some of the fine details in the nature of God and His works, what would you say? Have you studied Him up close?

We learn about Him through His ways. For example, we can observe the kinds of things He uses, and we can notice how He uses them. It’s often very surprising for us to discover what vessels He chooses for performing His mighty work in the world.


Scriptural Principles:

1 God uses simple things.
You would probably expect God to make use of mighty things and mighty people, but the truth is quite the opposite. For example, the story of Moses, which begins in Exodus 1:8, shows how God could use a simple wicker basket to change the course of a nation’s history. Moses was placed in the river in a small basket, where he could be found by Pharaoh’s daughter. God used a simple, hand-woven container to protect the child who would be the liberator of his nation.You may feel as flimsy as a wicker basket, but it’s what the basket holds that counts. God can place something of supreme value inside the vessel of your life.

2 God uses imperfect attitudes.
Jonah was a man who would go to great lengths to disobey God.The Lord assigned him a mission and Jonah ran away, but God used him anyway. Not only that, but as we read in Jonah 2, God used a great fish to rescue Jonah from drowning. In Jonah 3, God used a withering plant to teach Jonah a lesson. God will use plants and animals, and He will use servants like Jonah even when they are imperfect. Have you refused to give yourself to God and His purposes because you felt unworthy? He can use Jonah; He can even use a fish.Why not you? Surrender your life to God just the way you are.

3 God uses unequipped people.
In the book of 1 Samuel we read about David, the young shepherd boy who wanted to challenge Goliath. There were many Israelite warriors, and none of them wanted to face the giant. David would not even wear the armor of King Saul, because he depended only on the strength of the God who had helped him defeat a bear and a lion. David brought down the giant with a simple stone such as anyone could find in a creek.The smallest pebble can perform the most powerful deed in the hands of almighty God.

4 God uses surrendered lives.
David may have seemed too small to be a mighty warrior, but he understood the secret to victory in life: he was totally surrendered to God. He was available for whatever task God might have for him, and he was bold enough to step forward and ignore those who doubted God’s power and protection. Does God need great armies or weapons? Does He need anything at all? He does not, but He uses those who are willing to surrender themselves to His service. Have you come to that point of surrender? Are you willing to trust Him for whatever plan He might have, knowing that He loves you and that His plans are best?

5 God uses willing sacrifice.
In Mark’s Gospel we find the account of a poor widow who made a contribution of two small copper coins, the equivalent of a single cent. Jesus told His disciples that “this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury” (Mark 12:43). Why? Because it was all she had. What matters is not the size, but the spirit of our gift. God wants us to give all our effort, all our dedication, all our creativity, and everything we have toward His service. The dollar value is what the world notices, but God ignores all that; He sees the heart. God uses a willing and generous gift. Are you giving of yourself with a generous heart?

6 God uses simple obedience.
Jesus was teaching a great crowd in Luke 5:1-11. In their eagerness to hear, they nudged Him right to the edge of the water. Jesus asked Peter for the use of a fishing boat, and God used that boat for the teaching of the Word. Then He used it for a miraculous catch. Peter was an experienced fisherman, and he must have wondered what a carpenter from Nazareth would know about fishing. Peter obeyed, however, and enjoyed the greatest fishing trip he ever had. Our problem is generally not in knowing God’s will for our lives, but in our willingness to be obedient. How about you? Will you do what God is calling you to do?

7 God uses whatever may be in your hand.
In John 6, another crowd of people pressed Jesus and His disciples. There were five thousand men, as well as many women and children. Where would their meals come from? The disciples were worried, but a boy was found who had five barley loaves and two fish. Surely that wasn’t enough food to feed such an army! Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed the fish and bread to everyone there. Every man, woman, and child had a feast. This miracle was given in order to show that Jesus was the Son of God, and all that was needed was the simple lunch in a boy’s hand.What is in your hand? What should you offer to Christ?

8 God uses everything for our eternal good.
What other simple thing could God use? He used a tree for the benefit of the whole world. John 19 gives us the account of the crucifixion of Jesus.Why a cross, made from a tree? Why not a sword, for example? The cross made it possible for everyone to see how Jesus gave His life for us. God prepared that very wood for the awesome sacrifice of His Son, so that the blood of Jesus would pay the price for our sin. God used a common tree for His eternal purposes, and we know that He uses all things and all events for our good, as we love Him. There is nothing in this world He cannot and will not use.


Conclusion:

It’s written across every page of your Bible that God can use all that you have and all that you are. All He wants is you. He is calling to you right now, and His desire is for you to understand that full surrender means blessings greater than all the riches in the world.

If He can use a wicker basket, the stomach of a fish, a simple stone, a boat, or a tree, what might He do with your mind, your gifts, your time, and your treasures? What miracles might He accomplish for His glory through you?

Are you willing to commit to the following statement? “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.”

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