All of Us Can

Verse of the day: 1 Samuel 2:18, But Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod.

What an amazing demonstration of God’s grace in His willingness to use even a child. Samuel’s call came while he was still a child. Jeremiah’s calling to be a prophet came even before he was born. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Even as Jeremiah protested because he was a youth, God rebuked his objection in Jeremiah 1:7, commanding him to go speak on His behalf. Many believe that King David was anointed king while he was a teenager (1 Samuel 16). Throughout the Scriptures we see that God is willing to use both the young and old. Our age should never limit our service to the Lord. We may have physical limitation, and even limitations due to resources, but there is always some way that we can serve God. Some of the greatest prayer warriors I have known were godly saints who were shut-ins. They ministered to others by praying for them and even sending cards and notes of encouragement to other brothers and sisters in Christ. If we, therefore, who are healthy enough to get up and go to work, go to a ball game, participate in a hobby, or do anything else physically, what excuse could we possibly have for not serving the Lord? If we can speak, what hinders us from telling others about Jesus, other than our own fears? Many of us will sacrifice all that we have to travel to another country on vacation, but refuse to go next door or down the street to tell someone about Jesus. We are willing to spend all kinds of money on things that will soon sit in a corner collecting dust, but we will make excuses as to why we cannot give to someone in need or why we cannot give a little extra for missions. All of us, regardless of who we are, were created with some talent or ability that can be used in our service to the Lord. 1 Corinthians 12 tells us that we all have diverse gifts that we are to use, in unity, in the local church to both serve God and edify one another. We may not have talents or abilities that put us in the forefront or limelight, but we are not all called to be at center stage. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 clearly states, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” If God can call, and use, a child, can He not also call us and use us? God used men like Abraham, Moses, and Daniel, who were old men. The ages of the disciples varied and it was believed that the Apostle John was just a young man when he walked with Jesus. The bottom line is that those of us who are not being used by God are not being used because we are choosing not to be used. We have chosen the cares of this world and are seeking our own comforts and interests, rather that choosing to sacrifice whatever we have to in order to serve the Lord. In 1 Samuel 2:27 we see an example of a man of God who came to Eli, “Then a man of God came to Eli and said to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house?’” Here is a servant of God who is not even named, yet he served God. If we refuse to serve God because our service will not get us recognition, then we are serving with the wrong motivation. We can serve God knowing that God sees our service. The bottom line is that we must make ourselves available and be willing to serve God in whatever manner He calls us to serve Him. Our age or perceived shortcomings should not be a hindrance, but an opportunity to let Jesus light, strength, and power, shine through us in this dark world. All of us can serve in some fashion for the glory of God.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).