Being a student of history, I’m
always impressed how the great leaders of the past showed up just at the right
time and were so perfectly fitted to the part they would play. Is it possible the Winston Churchill, Thomas
Edison, George Washington, Albert Einstein, U.S. Grant and others were
specifically placed into their respective time periods just so that they would
be able to deliver when the world needed them most? Or is it possible that God empowered
seemingly ordinary men to rise up the challenge of the hour and be willing to
expend themselves at a moment’s notice?
A study of Scripture seems to say the latter is the real case.
Joseph was in Egypt ready to
interpret Pharaoh’s dreams and save many lives from a severe famine (Gen.
41). Moses was ready for the position to
intercede for the Israelites – though he didn’t think he was (Exod. 3; Heb.
11). Gideon’s faith empowered him and a
handful of courageous fighters to stand by and watch a vast enemy army kill themselves
(Judges 6, 7, 8). God heard blind Samson’s prayer and strengthened him one last
time to work against a godless foe. Samuel was filled with God’s Spirit from a
young age and served faithfully all of his life. Isaiah volunteered to be God’s
spokesman when called (Isa. 6). Philip
willingly baptized an Ethiopian Eunuch as he was traveling along the road (Acts
8). Ananias agreed to help Saul of
Tarsus complete his conversion to Christ (Acts 9). And Paul later taught and baptized his
captor, jailer and his family though he was unjustly imprisoned (Acts 16).
These were just ordinary folk. The honor we afford to them came after their
time of selfless service; after they overcame their fear of what the future
would bring; after laying it all on the line and trusting God with the
outcome. What they teach us today is
that God is ready and able to do the same for us if we, like them, are willing
to put our faith in the only One that could turn them into heroes. The Holy Spirit has a long track record of perfectly
fitting and enabling ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Simon Peter, a simple fisherman
turned outstanding apostle of Christ, encourages those filled with God’s Spirit
to: “Always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your
good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer
for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:15-17). And who would know better how to encourage
others to be empowered with God’s Spirit at all times and to stand firm in your
faith than the one who denied Christ, but then determined never to make that
same mistake again?
God promises to enable, empower, and
to prepare us to succeed and be victorious through any challenge that comes our
way (Rom. 8:18, 28); and He has never failed on a promise.
So, will your faith in God allow you
to complain, or to sing (Acts 16:25)?
When things go wrong, do you know
who to call on for help?
Are you ready to serve Him faithfully
should He call for you – at this very moment?
Trust Him to take control of your
life; He has a perfect track record on making ordinary people extra-ordinarily
great.
Doug
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