Words of Encouragement Scripture: Isaiah 10:15-19 15. Is the ax to boast itself over the one who chops with it? Is the saw to exalt itself over the one who wields it? That would be like a club wielding those who lift it, or like a rod lifting him who is not wood. 16. Therefore the Lord, the God of hosts, will send a wasting disease among His stout warriors; and under His glory a fire will be kindled like a burning flame. 17. And the light of Israel will become a fire and His Holy One a flame, and it will burn and devour his thorns and his briars in a single day. 18. And he will destroy the glory of His forest and of his fruitful garden, both soul and body, and it will be as when a sick man wastes away. 19. And the rest of the trees of his forest will be so small in number that a child could write them down. Look closely at verse 15. From Our Daily Homily by F.B. Meyer The Assyrian thought he was acting on his own impulse, and his pride congratulated himself on his exploits. The prophet reminded him that it was not so. He was only an ax, a saw, a rod, in the hand of the Eternal God Whose supremacy he was inclined to challenge and set at naught. This thought underlay the Apostles reply to those who magnified him against Apollos or Cephas (Peter). What are we, he cries, but ministers through whom you believed, even as God granted to each of us? We are only instruments of Gods husbandry, implements through which He fulfills His plans (I Cor. 3). It dates an era in the life, when we cease to work for God, and allow God to work through us. Thoughts like these correct alike pride and despondency. Pride, because whatever is the result of our work, we can no more take the credit of it than the pen that wrote Paradise Lost could take to credit itself of its production. At the best, it is not you, but the grace of God that was with you. You are only a pipe in the organ, but the breath that educed (drew forth or brought out) your music was divine. And in despondency it is very helpful to remember that if we are nothing, God is all-sufficient; if we have failed, it is more needful for Him to exert more power . Throw back the responsibility of all results on God. Only see to it that you are a polished shaft, an unblunted saw, and leave Him to do through you what He will. So, take and use thy work! Amend what flaws may lurk, What strain of the stuff, what warpings past the aim! My times are in Thy hand! Perfect the cup has planned! Let age approve of youth, and death complete the same! So. be encouraged, my friend! P.S. Here is a hymn mix that celebrates the Church and the Fellowship of believers worldwide: Theyll Know We Are Christians. Enjoy! https://youtube/watch?v=hq1nmMOzjSs&list=RDhq1nmMOzjSs#t=10
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 14:58:27 +0000
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