“In everything by prayer…with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” Philippians 4:6 NKJV
Do you feel your prayers go unanswered? Many people do. I was reminded of that today. I was in a place where I’d never been before sharing the Word of God. Before the early service, I started talking to a 76-year-old man who walked with a cane. It was a 2-minute conversation where I had to raise my voice because he was hard of hearing.
After the conversation, I continued greeting people—all nineteen of them, in the early service for this country church. After the service, this man’s sister talked with me to share her brothers’ thoughts. She said he liked me just because I took some time to be friendly. She shared her brother did not know the Lord. So, I reached into my Bible and pulled out a sheet of paper with scriptures on it to present the plan of salvation. I gave it to her and asked her to let her brother read it. She thanked me and went on to Sunday school. Afterward, she returned to say thank you again.
What I found was a compassionate Christian who was concerned about her brother’s eternity. She related she had been praying for her brother’s salvation for 25 years. Only heaven will reveal what the seeds of God’s word will yield. God uses ordinary people in unusual places to accomplish great works for his glory.
It was refreshing to reflect on the commonality of God’s tools of inspiration. When we examine the Bible, we realize God uses imperfect people in ordinary ways to do simple things for the glory of God.
Moses used the shepherd’s staff to divide the Red Sea. David used a sling to kill a giant. For Samson, it was a jawbone to slay 1,000 Philistines. Rahab used a red rope hanging out her window for safety. God used all these giants.
It does not make any difference if you are a servant in prison like Joseph or a father with a godly family like Noah. You could be a Daniel in a foreign country or a Nehemiah who needs to rebuild the wall. Peter and John were two fishermen who wrote part of the New Testament. Maybe an Andrew who brought people to Jesus. You could be Ruth gathering leftovers for food to put on the table. Dorcas used her sewing to be a blessing.
God looks past our circumstances and sees our hearts. It’s not the few pennies the widow put in the offering plate. It is the heart to put God first. The widow Zarephath gave part of her last meal away. All these examples render God’s richest blessings on them both here and for all eternity. Our God is in the small things.
