Sometimes we make our walk with the Lord complicated and wonder if we have what it takes to do what the Lord is asking us to do. Jesus told His disciples that the Kingdom belongs to those who are child-like. When we are child-like, we have less awareness of what we don’t know or what we don’t have. The Lord has placed something in our all hands that is valuable that we can use it to glorify Him and to bless others.
The Kingdom of God has different rules and values. Before Adam and Eve’s sin, Adam did not have to toil for food or study to know how to name the animals. It came to him through his relationship with God and the provision the Lord had for him. The scripture shows us over and over again that God uses people with what is in their hands and the skills that they have gained over the years. The Biblical characters were not necessarily the most talented people, but they were willing to do what the Lord revealed and directed them to do.
Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ ”
So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”
He said, “A rod.”
And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), “that they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” Exodus 4:1-5
When God called Moses to deliver His people from Egypt, Moses did not think he had what it took to do the big assignment. The Lord told him to use his rod. Moses was very familiar with his rod, but it wasn’t his idea to use it as a tool to show people that the Lord was with him. The rod had no power of its own until God touched it and made it special. The Lord used Moses with what was in his hands.
Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. 40-41
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. v45
So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. (1 Samuel 17:40-41, 45, 48-49)
David as a shepherd boy did not have much respect in the eyes of his father or his brothers. While three of his brothers were in Saul’s army and were trained for battle, David’s training was through his experience as a shepherd boy watching over his father’s flock.
Interestingly, when Saul offered his armor to David to use in fighting Goliath, he was not comfortable with it. His hands had gained skills for battle with simple things such as a slingshot and stones. He did not look down upon what he had. In fact, he used it skillfully as he had done in the past as a shepherd protecting the flock.
The Lord has given each of us skills through the experiences we have had in our lives. They may not seem impressive or important to others, but they have value. The Lord can use them for His kingdom if we value them. Instead of wondering if we have what it takes to do what the Lord is asking us to do, it would be better to thank the Lord for all the things he has placed in our hands.
Some of us are strong in making meals and being hospitable. Others are skilled in encouraging people and helping people to move forward. Others are generous with their finances and can bless those who are in need. Some who have the gift of wisdom that can help people to build a strong foundation.
What is in your hands!? Has the Lord used what is in your hands to bless others? Do you disparage your skills or do you thank the Lord for them? What we may take for granted, could be very useful for the Kingdom and for blessing those we come in contact with. Let’s value what the Lord has blessed us with and make ourselves available for how He wants to use what is in our hands to be a blessing to others and to accomplish His will on the earth.
Image by my best in collections – see and press ?? from Pixabay