Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
GOD'S "WEAK" TOOL IS AMAZINGLY POWERFUL
In 1 Kings 19 we read of Elijah running for his life from wicked Queen Jezebel and hiding in a cave. While he was hunkered down for the night feeling depressed, thinking he was the only believer left, the Lord appeared to His lonely prophet to buck him up. He told Elijah to walk outside and stand before Him on the mountain as He passed by. Suddenly a strong wind shook the mountain and shattered the rocks, but the LORD wasn't in the wind. Next, a powerful earthquake occurred, but the LORD wasn't in the earthquake. Then, there was a fire that blazed on the mountain, but the LORD wasn't in the fire. Finally, there was the sound of a gentle whisper.
Through this unusual demonstration the Lord was teaching Elijah a valuable lesson ... and a comforting one. The Word he had been preaching to the people of Israel in God's name, though it appeared to be "weak as a whisper" had accomplished powerful things. The omnipotent Lord who was "in" Elijah's message had used it to create and preserve faith in the hearts of seven thousand Israelites. Therefore he could take heart!
At times we may feel discouraged in our calling as ambassadors for Christ. When we share the Good News of Jesus with unbelieving acquaintances we may wonder: How can this accomplish anything worthwhile? When we send missionaries to countries populated by people steeped in the worship of idols, we may tempted to think: Is it worth the time, effort and money involved? What good can the still small voice of the Gospel accomplish? But God's word to us is the same as He shared with Elijah: "Take heart! Your labors aren't in vain. I who make earthquakes happen and windstorms am well able to use the outwardly weak message of Christ-crucified to accomplish awesomely wonderful things, yes, to work saving faith in the hearts of thousands." Come to think of it, hasn't He already made use of His "weak" Gospel to work this mighty miracle in us?
A trusty weapon is Thy Word, Thy Church's buckler, shield and sword.
Oh, let us in its power confide That we may seek no other guide!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 292:8)
