A member of my small congregation is now in his 9th decade. His zeal for God and for serving His purposes hasn’t diminished for more than 60 years. His body, however, is finally starting to slow down. This frustrates him, for he wants to be speaking to anyone and everyone about the love of Jesus. He wants to take part in evangelistic efforts, but he can rarely leave his house these days.
God’s servant, David, had 600 men with him as he chased after some Amalekite raiders (1 Samuel 30:9). Soon, however, 200 of them were too exhausted to continue over the river to finish the battle and take back all of the goods and people that had been stolen (1 Samuel 30:10). The remaining 400 went ahead and were given a great victory, as God had promised David (1 Samuel 30:7-8).
Later, some of the triumphant warriors resented that the 200 who stayed with the equipment received an equal share of the plunder, but David knew the right thing to do. He understood that each person’s role was of equal importance (1 Samuel 30:21-24). Had no one been exhausted, the equipment would have been left unguarded and could have been stolen. In God’s providence, one-third of the men were so weary that they provided invaluable service by sitting down!
God wants our availability and our obedience, not merely our physical strengths. My elderly brother in Christ is a great man of prayer, an inspiration to many. Now he has plenty of time to fulfill God’s purpose in this area, to encourage others in their ministries, and to be completely fulfilled as he obeys his Father’s will. God wants his obedience in these roles, not his zeal in another. As each of us obeys, God both promises and provides the success that follows.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 12:1-9; 17:1-8
More:
Read 2 Timothy 1:5-14 and see how Paul urged Timothy to tap into the gifts given to him by the Holy Spirit.
Next:
In what ways do you seek to do the exciting things for God at the expense of what’s necessary or what He’s called you to do? Is there someone in your church who’s been called to “guard the equipment”? How can you encourage and bless that person?
Gary Shultz on January 9, 2015 at 6:13 am
Well done! As we move through seasons of life we must still allow God to move us where He would have us. It is difficult to accept the changes of life sometimes and we often have our heads (mind) where we no longer are to be. Thank God He is patient and lovingly cares for us. We have this goal oriented thing and we think we must do, when God just asks us to follow Him where He leads us. Thanks.
seeking777always on January 9, 2015 at 11:54 am
This is a really great example of how God can use even the weakest of his soldiers (Christians) to serve a vital role in the furthering His kingdom.
The body of Christ is its very own army and just like every role in Davids army received the same reward for what they did to “protect” the armory (the message used to further His kingdom) those that play even the smallest role in the body of Christ get the same reward (eternal life).
It is a great reminder that furthering the Kingdom is not about who does the most impressive thing, it is about those who are truly loyal to the cause and to His Kingdom.