When God calls, He equips.

It was just a couple of weeks ago that my wife and I were invited, by a dear friend, to dinner at her home. There was, however, a slight "catch"! She wanted to invite another "senior citizen" from the fellowship with which we worship, and his son who, I was informed, works in a school in France. The idea was that I would be able to converse with him in French!!

As it happened, he decided to come, with his father, to the worship service on the Sunday prior to our dinner date - and I discovered that, as he taught in an International School, he did so in English. His French was possibly poorer than was mine when my wife and I went to live in that country! 

However, that was actually for the good, as this dear man has some (to me!) strange ideas, and certainly doesn't subscribe in any meaningful way, to Biblical doctrines. Let me simply say that it was an interesting evening - and that I was very glad that the Lord, in His wisdom, had equipped me to discuss, in a meaningful manner, with this new friend over a range of theological, moral, philosophical, and scientific topics!

How often we draw back from saying, or doing, something because we think that we are not capable. Has that ever happened to you? You would not have been the first!

The man Moses has just been told, by YHWH that he is to lead the Children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt. He wasn't overly excited! 

But Moses said to YHWH, “Oh, Adonai, I am not eloquent, either heretofore or since Thou hast spoken to Thy servant; but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then YHWH said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him dumb, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, YHWH? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” But he said, “Oh, Adonai, send, I pray, some other person.” (Ex. 4:10-13).

Moses pleaded with God to let him off this mission. After all, he pointed out (!), he was not a good speaker, and would probably embarrass both himself and God. But God looked at Moses' problem from a different perspective. All that Moses needed was some help - and who better than Almighty God to help him say the right things? After all, it was God Himself Who had made Moses' mouth, and He would give him the words to say. 

It is all too easy for us to focus on our weaknesses; but if God tells us to do something, then He will help us get the job done. If the job involves some of our weak areas, then we can trust that He will provide words, strength, courage, and ability where needed.

Are you declining a call on your life, because you don't feel adequate? Fear not! If that call is truly from the Lord, He will equip you to do what needs to be done.

Silence from the Lord!

It is interesting to read some of the specific encounters that the Lord Jesus had with individuals while He walked on the earth, in His incarnation. For me, one of the most interesting is the encounter, recorded by both Matthew and Mark, with a Syro-Phoenician woman. Matthew writes: 

"And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.” But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and begged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly." (Matt.15:21-28).

Did you notice those words: "But He did not answer her a word."? There is something remarkable in this silence of the Christ. We expect Him to be quick to hear every request made of Him by a sufferer. His heart was sensitive, and instantly responded to every request for help. Yet here, He stands and listens to this mother's plea - and answers not a word! He stands, apparently unmoved by her cries, even although He had all power in His hands to deal with the situation.

Why was He thus silent? It was not because He was weak, for His arm is ever strong. It was not because He was so engrossed in His own imminent passion and crucifixion, that He could not think of another's sorrow for, even on the cross, He forgot Himself but showed kindness to others. Could it be, then, that the reason for His silence was that He was testing this mother's faith?!

If that is so - and I believe it to be - then He would have been delighted with her tenacity. She didn't "take the huff", and walk away. No! She had come seeking, and she was determined to find! So she continued to seek His help. How did He respond? With what have been interpreted as harsh words: “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs." Wow! What is happening here? 

One of the problems with the written word is that is does not reflect the tone of voice, or the facial features of a speaker. I suggest that those words, spoken by the Lord Jesus, were spoken with a tenderness that made a major difference to them, and with a twinkle in His eyes! And the women came back with a response that must surely have gladdened His heart: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

And so the record ends with words from the Saviour that are more like those we have come to expect: “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly." Her tenacity led to triumph as her request for help was granted.

Have you ever felt that the Lord was ignoring you? How have you reacted? How easily some of us give up if a positive answer to our prayers is not received on the following day?! Okay, that’s probably an exaggeration – but you get my point. God grant that each one of us might have the depth of faith of this Syro-phoenician woman: a faith that, although tested; proved to be tenacious; and was, thus, triumphant.

And to His Name be all the praise, and all the glory.