A halfling, a hobbit destroyed the ring and brought defeat to Mordor. If only the Israelites had seen the Lord of the Rings trilogy, then they might have gone into the Promised Land right away. Instead, the sight of the walled cities and giants kept them from seeing victory by the hand of God. Seems like that God likes to take small things up against big things to show His power.
There was Gideon and his 300 men up against tens of thousands seasoned soldiers with only trumpets, lanterns and lips. There was David, the ruddy shepherd boy, with only his sling and five stones up against the giant Philistine warrior, Goliath. There was only one measly prophet, Elijah, against 400 prophets of Baal, oh and well maybe one nasty queen, Jezebel and whole kingdom complete with army at her disposal. Nothing for Elijah to worry about. Right! Just because she hated his guts and wanted him dead. And then there was this one small boy who had a Long Johns' Fish and More special and 5,000 people wanting lunch.
Why do we minimize the power of God in our life? I get really tired of naysayers who tell me it can't be done. I need to hang out with a few more Calebs. 38 years later, wearing the same clothes and shoes, the Children of Israel had to face the same scenario of walled cities and giants in the land, but this time they trusted God and watched His hand at work in their behalf. Gideon and his men never raised a sword. Elijah watched God display his power on the altar and then watched the death of the 400 prophets of a false, non-existent God. It only took one stone guided by God to slay Goliath. And the five loaves and two fishes were more than enough to feed the hungry mass. They even had leftovers for the next day.
The Apostle Paul said that God is able to do immeasurable more abundantly than whatever I can think or imagine. Jesus said with faith the size of a mustard seed I could move mountains. So why can't I believe God wants to do some incredible things through our church, His church? Why should I listen to people who say, "It can't be done?" If God can make the sun stand still and even back up and if Jesus can calm winds, waves and seas, heal the sick and raise the dead, why couldn't He handle a few small issues of money, building, resources? I was always taught that He owned the cattle on a thousand hills, in fact they made me sing the song. Why shouldn't I believe that God can do great things in my life, through my life, and through my/His church?
Okay, so the odds don't look good. Things don't look possible. But I don't serve a God who worries about odds. I have a God who laughs at stuff people think is impossible. I don't want to be like those Israelites who cowered in the desert and failed to receive their promise. I don't want to sit around and bemoan or lament the formidability of the challenge. I don't want to get caught up in my inabilities or inadequacies. I'm following the Jesus who's riding the white horse to victory. I getting out of the way and letting the Holy Spirit do His empowering thing. I'm jumping in like Caleb. Just tell what to do God. Point me in the right direction. Give me your vision.
God, I wish I always had the faith and fire of Caleb. I sure can talk big, but sometimes I'm a faithless coward. Show me your power again. Strengthen me. Help me with my resolve to follow you. Pick me up. Dust me off. Invigorate me. Remind me again that something as small as an atom splitting can create a nuclear explosion.
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