A few weeks ago I was working in my workshop, building my son a piece of furniture for his bedroom. As I began to come to the end of this project, I came to the task of placing handles on the drawers. When I started this project, I didn’t give much thought to the handles. I have over the years purchased hundreds of handles and hardware from store closeouts, auctions and sales. So I took the need to check to see if I had the proper handles very lightly. Eventually I went to my supply room and chose eight handles. But, when my wife came to examine my handy work, she pointed out the handle was unacceptable. So back to the supply room I go. Again, picking eight handles to work with. This time the color was right but, the hardware was not compatible with the drawers. Fortunately, I have the wood working equipment to make adjustments to make most things fit. This was the case. I modified the handle’s hardware to fit the drawers, now this piece of furniture sits in my son’s room for his use. I have written all of this to share a few thought’s with you.
Many times in our Christian walk we approach life in the same manner. We feel because of our years of serving God we have built up a large supply room, (Faith, trust, love, knowledge of God’s word etc) and rightly so. A Christian should grow and mature in the Lord as time goes by. Yet every trial and test will require it’s own special set of handles (spiritual tools) to fit the special design of that need. Like in the previous example, I waited up to the end of my project to pick out the handles, yet if I would have chosen them at the beginning of this project as I did all the other materials, it would have saved time and money. But more importantly, I would have known from the beginning that I had the right tools to modify the hardware, and that my project would not be in vain. I would have been assured of completing this task. Many times when facing a spiritual trial or task we start out with—out proper preparation.
Luke 14: 27-30
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
I would have been a shame if the handles would not have been able to be modified. All that work would have been for naught. The word says in Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
The world is dying to see the finished product, we must count the cost of failure. This should drive us to the greatest need to prepare ourselves in every area of spiritual preparation. We must realize we have the tools (God’s word and his promises) to bring things to victory.
Matthews 16:19
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Saints, God has given us the spiritual (tools) to complete every task, overcome every trial, defeat every obstacle that Satan throws our way. May God grant us the wisdom to use every spiritual tool in our workshop, to be victorious for Christ and his church. Jesus had to remind his disciples of this very same thing.
Matthew 17: 14-17
And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and cast into the perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
What was wrong here? The disciples had cast out many devils in Jesus’ name before but, some where they had forgotten the need to prepare (apply the spiritual tools) for each day’s special needs. Maybe their faith had increased in their own selves (personal supply room) and decreased in God’s finished work this particular day. Jesus rebuked them for their unbelief and Jesus performed this great miracle.
Matthew 17:18-21
And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
At last Jesus reminded them not to forget about the need for spiritual tools.
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. V.21
Let’s not take the attitude that our supply room is stocked to the point of being able to supply every need.
This is putting our strength in ourselves and not realizing we need God and the tools he has made available to us (prayer, fasting, his word etc.) to apply our faith and our strength in completing every task victorious for Jesus.
Remember, God has NO READY MADE HANDLES, God has a made—to—order answer to every need and every task. God does not use an assembly line approach to our prayers and problems. Every need is unique. Every answer from God is TAILOR—MADE. “WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE” AMEN.