Weekly Devotion 4.24.2011

The Resurrection Brings Hope

2Cr 4:7-14 NLT - [7] We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. [8] We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. [9] We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. [10] Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. [11] Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. [12] So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you. [13] But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, "I believed in God, so I spoke." [14] We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you.

Just as Christ suffered unto death at the Cross, so Paul outlines here in 2 Corinthians that the Christian, too, must suffer a similar crucifixion.  In Paul's time and in many places of the world today, it was and is in the literal sense.  But for many of us today, living the Christian life means enduring the emotional, mental, and spiritual temptations which surround us.  Thankfully, we are given a great hope, for "we now have this light shining in our hearts."  We "are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure."  What has Christ's resurrection given us?  Salvation, yes, but continual salvation! We are so weak and unworthy to receive the great treasure of salvation, but we are given it, and we must use it.  In Paul's time, Christians literally "share in the death of Jesus so that te life of Jesus may also be seen in [their bodies."  It is comforting to know that Jesus has endured what we must endure.  If he, God but full man, could endure death without sin, we know that we may endure death without losing our faith in Him.  That's such an incredibly powerful and hopeful message!

Ensure this day is not just another Easter to you.  Recall what the resurrection means:  what it gives us as Christians.  In it we have hope and security that, regardless of what life brings, Christ has been there and is here with us.

Weekly Devotion 4.3.2011

The Instruments in God's Hands

Exd 31:1-6 NLT - [1] The LORD also said to Moses, [2] "Look, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. [3] I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. [4] He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze. [5] He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. Yes, he is a master at every craft! [6] "And I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the naturally talented craftsmen so they can make all the things I have instructed you to make"

In Exodus 31 God explains to Moses how he will provide the resources to build the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant.  It is here in Exodus that a major shift occurs.  We begin to see God using people as instruments of His will, rather than the more frequent miracles he portrays in the first part of Exodus.  Why is this?  I believe it is a lesson to the Israelites, and consequently to us, that God not only uses plagues of nature, pillars of fire, and manna from heaven to achieve His goals.  Most importantly, He uses us. 

Notice that the Lord says that He has "chosen Bezalel son of Uri" because He has "filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts."  God also explains to Moses that he has "appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant."  God not only has a leader assigned to the position of building these places of worship, but he has an assistant and has "given special skill to all the naturally talented craftsmen so they can make all the things [He has instructed Moses] to make." 

Beloved, God has a plan to use us, just as He used the artisans in Exodus.  We often falsely believe Satan's like that God only uses missionaries and pastors, but Paul writes in Ephesians 4.11-13 that "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."  We are each a cog in the infinitely complex and perpetual machine of God's divine plan.  The machine won't run unless every piece operates.  Sure, we might compensate while others slack.  There are many Christians who are far overworked because they step in to fill void tasks left unfilled by those God is calling.  But God is calling us!  Just as He instructed Moses and the artisans, He is instructing us.  We are the instruments in His hands.  We are the love of God that the world sees.  If we are not love, then they see God not at all.

It is vital that we recognize the gifts God has provided us, and regardless of whether or not we think them useful, we must use them to the glory of God.  God equips us at just the right time for just the right purpose.  He knows when that time will come.  You must only listen to His voice and be the instrument in His hand.  Amen.