Equipped…
I get devotions in my email; one of them is by Elisabeth Elliot. Today the title was “Iron Shoes” (the one on the website had the same theme, but a different day)
Sometimes a task we have begun takes on seemingly crushing size, and we wonder what ever gave us the notion that we could accomplish it. There is no way out, no way around it, and yet we cannot contemplate actually carrying it through.
The one that I received talked about how God equips us for the tasks that He gives us.
When some out-of-the ordinary supply is needed inorder for us to accomplish the job given, we can be confident it will be provided. “Shoes of iron”were asked in Moses’ blessing for Asher, an impossibly long-lasting provision from God. Theold spiritual says, “l got shoes, you got shoes,all God’s children got shoes,” but not all God’s children have iron ones; only those who need them. Our heavenly Father knows exactly what we will require to fulfill his purposes for us. It is wrong–it is, in fact, a sin–for us to worry about where the “shoes” will come from. “Trust me!” God says to us. “I’ll give you iron ones if only iron ones can do the job.”
Some things that are set before us do seem impossible. But we can be confident that if God has put this task in front of us, He will equip us, or He has already given us what we need to get it done.
There were so many things about my husband’s illness that I was equipped for, years before that task was put in front of us. And even in the midst of his death and dying, there were many prayers that were answered.
A marriage to an unbeliever is not an easy thing; when I cried out from the depths of my heart, “God, do whatever it takes to bring him to You!” I didn’t expect that “whatever” to be death by cancer. God is faithful and my husband died in Christ.
It was a seemingly impossible task – I was equipped by God to carry it through. Not only that, but because of that experience, as well as others in my marriage, I am now equipped to be used of God in ministry.
God is faithful and He is in charge and He will give you whatever shoes you need to do the job.
“For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded, therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed” (Is 50:7 AV).
“It is wrong–it is, in fact, a sin–for us to worry about where the “shoes†will come from. “Trust me!†God says to us.”
A sin for us to worry about where the shoes will come from stopped me in my breakfast tracks this morning!
Wow, Ellen,
I almost cired. I have a lump in my throat. My sweet sister, I can only pray I could be a tiny bit like you.. Your heart has really touch me and my sistuation.
Sometimes it is just pain scary what He uses, scary enough to make us want to not trust Him, then we remember, “oh, yeha, God of the Universe.” Praise the Lord that He does as He promises and uses ALL things for His glory and our good.
On th other side, I am sorry for the loss of your husband, I didn’t know. Wha an amazing example of His grace being sufficient and His will be done. Thank you.
This was a great post and a great reminder as I sometimes feel like homeschooling my daughter is the impossible task. However, your post reminded me of the ways God has equipped me thus far . . . I can do all things in Him who gives me strength. :0)