Being Able For The Lord

-July 29, 2022-

Good morning happy Friday,

“Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens” (Exodus 18:21).

“All these were of the sons of Obed-Edom, they and their sons and their brethren, able men with strength for the work: sixty-two of Obed-Edom” (1 Chronicles 26:8).

God does not choose and call people randomly to serve Him. He sent Samuel to choose one of Jesse’s eight sons. He rejected the first seven, but instead choose David, the youngest, a shepherd boy to be the next king after Saul. God told Samuel not to be impressed by the outward appearance of these young men. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him.’ For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”

Whether in the OT or the NT, God looks for men of ability and quality. It may be to be king as with David or other leaders as in our text today, or to be elders and deacons in the church. God has high standards for His servants. In Exodus 18:21, a man had to be able, fear God, be men of truth, and hate covetousness. In 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Paul lists the qualifications for both elders and deacons. He also shared the qualifications of elders in Titus 1:5-9. The elders of our church recently chose a new deacon and announced him to the congregation on Wednesday evening.

Someone once said, “God does not call the equipped, but equips the called.” God sees our hearts as well as our potential. None of us feel we are worthy to be called to serve the Lord. It greatly humbles us. We must do His work with the gifts and abilities that He has given us. We should all strive to have the same qualities of elders and deacons. God is looking for a few good men.

A number of years ago the Gaither Vocal Band sang a beautiful song entitled, “A Few Good Men.” The lyrics say, “What this dying world could use is a willing man of God who dares to go against the grain and work without applause; A man who’ll raise the shield of faith, protecting what is pure; whose love is tough and gentle; a man whose word is sure. God doesn’t need an orator who knows just what to say; He doesn’t need authorities to reason Him away; He doesn’t need an army to guarantee a win; He just needs a few good men. Men full of compassion, who laugh and love and cry; men who’ll face eternity and aren’t afraid to die—Men who’ll fight for freedom and honor once again—He just needs a few good men.”

We need more able, strong, willing, surrendered, and dedicated men and women to serve Him today. God never lowers His standards to raise up His godly servants. May we be faithful to the Lord and His work for He is so worthy.

May the Lord use us mightily in His service. Stay safe and healthy.

In humble service to God and His people,

Dean