When God needed someone to speak to His people, Israel, He went to those in whom He had great confidence. Those with the talent and the courage to speak for God – the prophets – did not always feel up to the task. When God sought Moses as His “prophet” (that is, one who would speak in His stead) He spoke to him from the burning bush, Exodus 4:1ff. But Moses feared failure, saying,
“they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.”
Moses relented and delivered God’s people.
When God appeared to Jeremiah the response to Jehovah’s call was not unlike that of Moses:
“ I cannot speak: for I am a child.”
Why were they hesitant to be God’s prophet? Fear of failure would seem to be an understandable factor, but perhaps they all were unwilling at first to replace their own desires with those of God’s. They may have been comfortable where they were, and therefore unwilling to launch out into the deep, unknown waters of being God’s servant.
Seven centuries before Christ, Isaiah was invited to view the throne room of Jehovah. Realizing the responsibility given to him, Isaiah answered:
“Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips…here am I; send me.” Isaiah 6:5, 8.
The word of God is as powerful today as it was then, but it is still hard to find men who are willing to proclaim it. People like to joke about a preacher’s “three-hour-work-week” and high paying salary, but for the most part, few are knocking at that door to get that “easy job” and that “fat pay check.”
Fortunately, some are willing to quit their job, to sell their house, pick up their family and do what it takes to prepare themselves to preach that powerful word of God. Yes, it takes a mindset that puts great things ahead of even good things. God never said that a man must be a full-time preacher to go to heaven, but someone must do it. And, someone must also be willing to prepare them, to teach them, and others must be willing to foot the bill for that preparation.
This congregation has determined to give their approval and their assistance to preparing men to take the saving message of Christ to a world desperately in need of that message.
During the academic year that begins this week, our association with others in this work will include partial monetary support for seven students and two part-time instructors in that school. While this involves the expending of some funds from our own treasury, we are jointly participating in the instruction and preparation of men who can and will take the gospel to the world.
One additional benefit we receive in this endeavor is the presence and the influence of five of those students here in this congregation. They have already filled in for Bible class teachers and served in other ways. One of our members told me recently that these young families have been a real “shot in the arm” for us. We see their commitment to the Lord, evidenced in their leaving home and preparing their lives to be full-time servants in God’s kingdom, and we are motivated to use our time wisely while we can.
There will always be a need for more Christians who will preach and teach God’s word. Some of our members are, with jobs and professional responsibilities of their own, already using their time to teach and proclaim God’s word. Some are going out to congregations who need someone to fill in for their preacher in his absence. Are these efforts worthy of our support? We strongly believe they are!
When we willingly do our part – and a little more – we are saying “yes” to God. Moses said he could not speak fluently and could not do what God wanted him to do. But God told Moses,
“Who has made man's mouth? or who makes the mute, or deaf, the seeing or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?” Exodus 4:11.
Moses finally said “Yes” to God, and his name is still in our mind and our memory. No, he was not “eloquent,” but he led Israel with honor for forty years in the wilderness.
Jeremiah said “Yes” to God, and though he faced tremendous opposition he remained faithful to God and to the commission given to him. He is known as that “weeping prophet” because he took his responsibilities seriously. Satan opposed him, but he did not quit.
Isaiah said “Yes” to God, and great is the work and honor given him by men of the past and today.
We would be wise to say “yes” to God along with others who are doing God’s work in God’s way. There is much to do. Will you help?
