Articles
Using What We Have
As we consider our lives, we may have pondered the great things we might accomplish for God: If we were just given the appropriate circumstance or material.
Throughout life, man has the inclination to consider his plight, be it rich or poor, and see visions of grandeur about what he might be if given to different circumstance or provisions. Man has a tendency to look at the life of others and see the opportunities they have and say "If I only had such an opportunity, I would do this or that." But doing that which is good is not dependent upon our physical circumstances or provisions, but upon doing what we can with what God has given.
Having been told by Jehovah in Exodus 3:10 "Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt." Moses said, "Who am I that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? (Exod. 3:10-11, 12).
To consider the awesomeness of such a responsibility would bring any to their senses, and see frailties and unworthiness. But Jehovah assured Moses, "Certainly I will be with thee."
To this call, "Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice; for they will say, Jehovah hath not appeared unto thee." The thought of such a task would overwhelm any. But in response to Moses' reservations, Jehovah said, “What is that in thy hand? And he said, A rod" (Exod. 4:1-2). It was that rod, by the power of God, that became a tool in the hands of Moses and Aaron to accomplish the works God sent them forth to achieve.
When the Philistines gathered their armies together against Israel and their champion, Goliath, defied the armies of Israel, David went forth with "his staff ...five smooth stones out of the brook...and his sling...in his hand" to do battle. What David told Goliath should be of great interest to us, "that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that Jehovah saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is Jehovah's, and he will give you into our hand" (1 Sam. 17:40-47). What David understood was that it was Jehovah who would give victory unto Israel, not the trappings of war that man had contrived, but by His own power. As it was with Moses, so also with David: Jehovah used what David had in his hand. That which was small to the world became the biggest thing in Goliath's life.
As we look at our lives and the world in which we live, we are often dismayed because our efforts seem so futile. We think if only our circumstances would change, if only we could accomplish something big, then maybe people would listen to what we have to say.
However, it is not man that makes the gospel message a joy to those who receive it: Jehovah said, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isa. 55:8-11).
What is in your hand? Are you utilizing what God has already given you, or are you waiting for your circumstances to change? Paul said, "for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).
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