Stepping Out in Obedience
by Trevor Davies
Most of us, at sometime in our walk with the Lord, have had to step out in faith to do something for the Lord that we haven’t felt equipped to do. It may have been to step up front and teach the word of God, or to lead a prayer group or bible study. It may have been to give a word to someone, or we may have felt led to share our faith with a neighbour or someone at our work place.
It also could be to do more practical jobs, which we also feel we haven’t got the skills to do. It certainly stretches us, and improves our prayer life. It’s one of the ways the Lord uses to train and equip us for the future, and to get us to trust Him by stepping out in obedience.
All of the above things are nothing compared to what the Lord called the prophet Jeremiah to do. Jeremiah was only about seventeen years old when he was sent to warn the people of Judah that, unless they turned from their evil ways, judgement was coming. Not a popular message to have to give to people, and Jeremiah tried his best to get out of it! ‘Then I said “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth”’ (Jeremiah 1: 6). But the Lord was having none of it, His reply was, ‘“Do not say I am a youth, for you shall go to all whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak”’ (Jeremiah 1:7).
The Lord knew that, in his own ability, Jeremiah wasn’t equipped to do what the Lord was calling him to do. The all-important key was in our opening scripture.“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.” It was by the power of God’s word that the task would be accomplished.
When the Lord calls us to serve Him, He doesn’t expect us to do it in our own
Strength. He will use our natural giftings, but it’s in His strength that the tasks are done. Whether we’re in full time ministry, or out in the work place, or at home, it’s the Lord, by His Spirit, who equips us to do what He’s called us to do.
Prayer: Lord, we do thank You that when You call us to do anything for You, You equip us for that task. Help us always to remember that it’s not our own ability that You look for, it’s our willingness to step out in faith, and trust You. Amen.
Trevor Davies and his wife, Margaret, have recently left the Ellel Scotland team having been there for over 9 years. Before that they were living in Israel, where they met and were married. Before going to Israel Trevor worked for a machine tool, engineering company in his home town of Colchester.
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