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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #448 March 20, 2002 A Journey A hand grabbed him and stuffed him in a leather bag. Soon others joined him and they were all stuffed into a larger bag and carried on a camel for days. As they travelled, he learned of gold, silver, iron, copper and more. He didn’t know what those things were, but he guessed he was one of them. He knew from the conversations around the fireplace and from the bartering that went one for him that he must be valued. He heard of fine jewellery, tools, weapons and other things built of these metals and he pondered his destiny. After a long time, he ended up in the shop of a metal smith. He was disappointed to learn that he was only iron and not the regal gold and silver he had heard of. Still he could be used to make a great sword or a helmet to protect a warrior. Perhaps he would be a fine farm tool to provide for a family. More than once, he was melted down. The heat was unbearable. Each time some part of him, the dross, the impurities were taken off. He was smaller but somehow stronger for it. He really didn’t quite understand the whole process, but the smith seemed to know what he was doing. He was heated more than once as a sword, or a plow was being fashioned, but always seemed to be left over and tossed back I the pile. His turn came at last, and he was heated, pounded and shaped. He didn’t know what he was but the smith was satisfied and he knew that was good. The smith tossed him into a pile of others made like him. He learned that he was a nail. Nails were used to build important things and hold them together for people. His strength was at last going to be put to use. He was proud. A man came and bought a whole clay pot of nails. As the nails travelled they pondered what beautiful thing they might be used for. There were palaces and temples being built in the area, perhaps that was their destination. Each time a hand reached into the pot, he hoped it was his turn. Many times he was disappointed but finally the hand grabbed him. He was pulled out into the light, and driven into place with a heavy hammer. He could hardly wait to hear what he was part of. If nails could cry, he would have. His heart broke as he realized he was holding the feet of an innocent man to a cross so that man would die. Why? Why had he been made for this? When the dead man was taken off the cross, the nail was tossed back into the pot where he lay in shame. Soon He heard the dead man was alive. The dead man was Jesus, the Son of God. This Jesus died to save the world and His death had been planned back at the beginning of time. The nail had been chosen back at the beginning to do his part in saving the world. His shame turned to an indescribable sense of peace. God used me! But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, `Why did you make me like this?' " Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory--even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? Romans 9:20-24 NIV I don’t know what you are going through. I don’t know if you are a vessel of fine gold, or a common nail. I do know that whatever and wherever you are that God will use you in mighty ways if you will let Him. Until next time, no matter what your circumstances, rejoice in knowing that God will be brought glory through them. Hallelu Yah Kevin Would you like to know the feeling of being used for glorious purposes no matter what you have done in the past? Turn to a personal relationship with Jesus. Email me and I’ll share some Bible verses that explain why a personal relationship with Jesus is so important and a prayer that will make it possible. Or simply begin the relationship by saying a prayer along the lines of: Dear God: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer let me know and I will direct you to some free non-denominational resources that will help you grow in that newfound relationship. To share your thoughts on this issue of Gleanings, or to share prayer concerns email us at corbin_writer@hotmail.com. or write us at : Gleanings From The Word 114 Oak Street Sherwood Park, AB Canada, T8A 0V8 At Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential. If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page on our website
© 2001 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin All Rights Reserved SUBSCRIBE TO GLEANINGS FOR FREE
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