Reveration Blog
1/9/2018 0 Comments He Picked YouMeditation Acts 9:13-15—“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go! For this man is My chosen instrument to take My name to Gentiles, kings, and the Israelites.” Paul (formerly Saul) considered himself a most unworthy man to serve God. As he said in his letter to the Corinthian church, “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (1 Co. 15:9). It must have shocked Ananias when God told him to go and meet Saul and minister to him. Decades later, Paul wrote his apprentice, Timothy, “So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Ti. 2:21). Paul, as a redeemed man, called to serve the Lord as an apostle, knew by experience what it meant to be a special instrument.
Doubtless there are readers who think, “Well that is great that God called Paul, but He is not interested in me. I have little to offer and I’m of insignificant value to the Kingdom of God.” If you are of such a persuasion, let me share words of wisdom from a South African clergyman, Alan Paton: There are therefore two things for us to do. The first is never to doubt that God can use us if we are willing to be used, no matter what our weaknesses. The second is to see that God can use any other person who is willing to be used, whatever his weaknesses, and if need be, to assure him of the truth. God picked you! Did you know that? He preordained that you would be one of His children and He has a special plan for your life. Never let doubt, insecurity, or low self-esteem define who you are. Celebrate the fact that you are not just saved, you were created to glorify God through your life. So, if you don’t feel like an instrument of the Lord, immediately ask Him to reveal His purpose for you. Wait on His answer. When He opens your eyes and lovingly speaks to your heart, get after it. Purify yourself from whatever is dishonorable. Don’t wait. Don’t think up excuses. Time is a gift and we are to use it wisely for the One who chose us to serve Him. Inspiration No Christian should ever think or say that he is not fit to be God’s instrument, for that in fact is what it means to be a Christian. We may be humble about many things, but we may never decline to be used.—Alan Paton ©2018 Daniel York ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause. If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box. Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice. Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth. (Holman CSB)
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Photo from Rachel Maxey Miles