not mine to do
by poh fang chia
Posted under
christian living,
daily devotional,
employer/employee,
God's will,
gratefulness,
patience,
physical needs,
self-image,
spiritual gifts,
submission,
work,
worship (3 comments)
read>
1 Chronicles 17:1-4, 16-25
You are not the one to build a house for Me to live in (1 Chronicles 17:4).
|
more>
Compared to his brother Simon Peter, Andrew seemed to have a minor role in God’s redemptive plan. Read about the significant part he played in John 1:39-41.
|
next>
How does understanding that there are no insignificant jobs in God’s eyes shape the way you serve Him today?
|
The idea was his, but he didn’t receive the credit. He drew the plans. He designed the furniture. He collected the materials. He made all the arrangements (1 Chronicles 22:1-6). But God didn’t respect David’s copyright. The first temple built in Jerusalem is known as Solomon’s temple.
King David’s desire to honor God is commendable, but the Lord said, “You are not the one” (1 Chronicles 17:4). How would you feel if you had been in David’s sandals? Would you still be just as dedicated in laying the groundwork?
Bible commentator J. G. McConville wrote: “Often we may have to accept that the work which we would dearly like to perform in terms of Christian service is not that for which we are best equipped, and not that to which God has in fact called us. It may be, like David’s, a preparatory work, leading to something more obviously grand. Recognition and acceptance of our true measure is the first and necessary step towards seeing the significance of what, in God’s purposes, we really can achieve and have achieved.”
Perhaps this is the reason some missionaries toil long and hard in a land where there are few converts, and mothers continue to pray faithfully for their prodigal children. They believe and accept that God has called some to sow, some to water, and others to reap the harvest. They understand that the Christian life is a race but not against other humans. Ultimately, they trust that God will cause the seed to grow (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
King David focused on what God would do, instead of what David couldn’t do (1 Chronicles 17:16-25). Therefore, he remained thankful. He did everything he could and rallied able men to assist Solomon (1 Chronicles 22:1-19). He sought God’s glory, not his own.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 23:1-39
leave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Loading ...
Loading ...
How very true this is. After many years of ministering to female inmates, I do believe and accept that God has called me to sow the seed. At times I get discouraged, but after reading this article today, I am more encouraged and will just keep on keeping on always remembering to give God the glory for all things. Thank you
Very true. A great comfort to know that God knows more than me and His overall plan is the very best.
Thanks for your example, expresso. Your faithfulness to reach out to the inmates God has brought into your life is an inspiration to all of us. May we all press on in the “fields” where God has us laboring for Him! Colossians 3:23.