Differences for God's Use.
1 Kings 18:1-5 1
1. After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: "Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land."
2. So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria,
3. and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of his palace. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the LORD.
4. While Jezebel was killing off the LORD's prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.)
Can you identify with the feelings of little Jimmy who prays, “God I know that you said we’re supposed to love everyone but you haven’t met my sister, Ellen, yet.” Indeed, there are people who get under our skin in unbelievable ways who try our patience and tempt us to respond in ways we know later would make us sorry.
How we look at differences in others is in part how we look also at ourselves in our weaknesses and our strengths, our values and our abilities. Comparing ourselves with others is common in everyday life. Sometimes it is important for diagnosis of health. Is my blood pressure the same as most other people’s? Do I have some social abnormality that needs some professional attention? Am I normal (whatever that means)?
Comparing will always be part of our lives. We begin by comparing babies. Sometimes that can spill over to competition. We want our babies and grandbabies to show more aptitude in speaking, walking and mental ability. We see comparisons when they go to school to see “if they are ready” - meaning do they function like those around them? There are educational theories as to how kids learn differently.
In junior high there is strong desire to be like everyone else to be accepted socially by one’s peers. I was ranked on sports teams rather low. I was average in grades. I was working hard to be accepted by people I thought was “cool” and never quite successful. Fortunately, I had a sense of humor and could make people laugh so at least I wasn’t on the bottom of the social ladder. Now with Tik Tok, Instagram and other social media platforms, some kids are so troubled when picked on, they commit suicide.
There are many religious comparisons as illustrated by the Pharisees regarding fasting, giving, praying and other rituals. Churches are tempted to compare attendance, offerings, buildings and baptisms. Sinfully see some of my fellow retired pastors and have feelings of inferiority, thinking I am not doing as good as job serving the Lord as others I admire.
I constantly need a reminder that God makes us differently. He made you and me the way He wanted. He gives us different gifts and abilities according go His will. He did so for a purpose. He loves us. He wants to use our uniqueness in ways that honor Him. Satan wants to take us out service. God wants to show us how our differences can be our assets and not liabilities.
This week I want to compare and contrast Elijah with Obadiah to recognize how God used them differently. Obadiah was under the authority of the king who denounced the very God whom Obadiah worshipped. One stood up to the King and his evil, the other worked as he could under cover within the very house of the oppressor.
In what ways do you see God’s unique design in your life? How has that helped or hindered you? Can you see God using you with your gifts and talents? How?
Prayer- Lord use me according to your will and for your glory. Keep my heart focused on you and not others. Amen
Dale
