October 20, 2004

[Rev. Doc]

Excuses

"Moses said to the Lord, 'O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
Exodus 4:10

In the work of the Lord we are without excuse for what He wants us to do.

There is a story of an Atlantic passenger laying in his bunk in a storm, deathly sick--seasick. A cry of "Man overboard" was heard. The passenger thought, "God help the poor fellow--there is nothing I can do." Then he thought at least he could put his lantern in the porthole, which he did. The man was rescued, and recounting the story next day he said, "I was going down in the darkness for the last time when someone put a light in a porthole. It shone on my hand, and a sailor in a lifeboat grabbed it and pulled me in."

Weakness is no excuse for our not putting forth all the little strength we have, and who can tell how God will use it?

Prayer: Ask God to help you strengthen your servant heart looking for ways to accomplish His will, not excuses for not doing it.

"Since God has put His work into your weak hands, look not for long ease here: You must feel the full weight of your calling: a weak man with a strong God."
~Lady Culross to John Livingston of the Covenanters, quoted in Prodigals and Those Who Love Them, Ruth Bell Graham