“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Phil. 4:13
Last Sunday morning in Bible class we were studying the first part of chapter 6 of Ecclesiastes which basically talks about using what God has blessed us with in our earthly lives. We had a good discussion going about this subject and I thought that I’d continue on with it for our lesson today.
To sort of paraphrase “The Preacher” in this part of his sermon in Ecclesiastes, he’s telling us that whatever we’ve been blessed with in our earthly life is to be used here. That it’s only good for life on this earth and cannot be saved up and carried over. In discussing the various “blessings” we receive one of those mentioned was our “talents” or “abilities.” That’s the portion of our discussion that I’m going to add some thoughts to here.
I believe that God has a use for every one of us and that we’ve each been given the talents or abilities needed to fill that purpose. I also think that many of us, if not a majority of us, don’t fully recognize all the abilities that we possess. Have been blessed with. This lack of recognition isn’t something rare or unheard of, is it? We’ve got some great examples of what I’m talking about right there in our Bibles. In a moment I’ll remind you of a few.
But first, I want to remind you that we have to inspect ourselves with an honest appraisal and see just what talents and abilities we’ve been given and remind ourselves of the source of those talents/abilities – God. I once owned a little book (I’ve since moved and I’m not sure whether I still own it or not) entitled “A Turtle On A Fencepost.” As to how he arrived at the title for his book, the author explained it this way: as a young boy he would sometimes see a turtle on top of a fencepost. He knew that the turtle didn’t get there by himself. Someone had to put him there.
When we honestly inspect ourselves as to what we’re able to do we should come to the conclusion that we didn’t “get there” by ourselves. Someone put us there. Someone gave us the talent and ability to do whatever it is that we’re able to do. Now lets look at those Bible examples of which I spoke earlier.
I suppose as good a place to start as any would be our boy Joseph. A son beloved by his father and hated by his brothers who sold him into slavery to some Ishmaelites who in turn sold him in Egypt. He rose to a high position in Potiphar’s house only to be thrown into prison because of a false accusation by Potiphar’s wife. I believe it was a poet by the name of William Congreve who said “…nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.”
But, because of his imprisonment, he was noticed for his ability to interpret dreams and went from being a prisoner to second-in-command in Egypt. It was through all of this that he was able to save his family, thus save all of God’s people. Did Joseph take credit for all of this. No, he didn’t.
If you recall, after Jacob died, his brothers were afraid that Joseph would seek revenge against them for what they had done to him. He relieved their anxiety by telling them this: “But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good…” (Gen. 50:20)
Then we’ve got Moses to look at for an example. Could he be another “turtle on a fencepost?” I think so. We know from all our studies of that era that he accomplished many, many great things for God’s cause. So much so that he’s seen as a type of Christ. But notice what he said when first approached by God to be the savior of his people. “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (Ex. 3:11)
Or, how about Gideon and his response when the angel of the Lord came to him and told him the Lord wanted him to “go in this might of yours” and save Israel from the Midianites. And Gideon’s reply: “Please Lord, how can I save Israel. Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least in my father’s house.” (Jud. 6:14-15)
Even David, as great as he was had to be reminded by the Lord how he had gotten to the position he was in. “I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler of my people, over Israel.” (2Sam. 7:8)
Another good example to note is the great prophet Jeremiah. I particularly like what God said when he “called” him to be a prophet. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Now look at Jeremiah’s answer to God’s calling: “Ah Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” Whereupon God replied to his excuse: “Do not say I am only a youth; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them for I am with you to deliver you….” (Jer.1:5-8)
When we move to the New Testament we can look at the apostle Paul, arguably the most effective spreader of the Gospel ever. But look at how he saw himself: as “the least of the apostles” (1Cor. 15:9) and in Eph. 3:8 as “the least of all saints.” He even once referred to himself as the chief of sinners. (1Tim. 1:15) But, we know what all he was able to accomplish and, moreover, we know how he was able to do it. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13)
Think about it. None of those examples cited were able to do the things they did on their own. They were given their abilities by God to be used for His honor and glory. And, having been given talents and abilities and been put in the place where they could be used, they did exactly that.
They were just like us. They were “turtles on a fencepost,” put there by God and they used what they had been given. I go back to the premise I started with, that each of us has been given some ability by God and put in a position to use it. If we don’t do an honest inspection of ourselves as to the abilities we’ve been blessed with and we don’t use them we’re not just limiting ourselves, we’re limiting God.
I’m going to leave you with some thoughts written by an anonymous Confederate soldier during the Civil War that I feel are relative to these thoughts here today. He penned these beautiful and appropriate words:
“I asked God for strength that I might achieve, and I was made weak that I might humbly learn to obey. And I asked for help that I might do greater things, and I was given infirmity that I might do … greater things. And I asked for riches that I might be happy, and I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life, and I was given a beautiful life that I might enjoy all things. I received nothing that I asked for, but I got everything that I had ever hoped for. Despite myself, all my prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed.”
Respectfully submitted,
Ron Covey