A Small Dull Rusty Dagger
I read the following at this link the other day.
Like the apostle Paul, it is every
minister's business to glory in his infirmities. The world says, "Pshaw!
upon your oratory; it is rough, and rude, and eccentric." Yet, 'tis even
so, but we are content, for God blesses it. Then so much the better that it has
infirmities in it; for now shall it be plainly seen that it is not of man or by
man, but the work of God, and of God alone.
It is said that once upon a time a
man exceedingly curious desired to see the sword with which a mighty hero had
fought some desperate battles; casting his eye along the blade, he said,
"Well, I don't see much in this sword." "Nay," said the
hero, "but you have not examined the arm that wields it."
And so when men come to hear a
successful minister, they are apt to say, "I do not see any thing in
him." No, but you have not examined the eternal arm that reaps its harvest
with this sword of the Spirit. If ye had looked at the jaw-bone of the ass in
Samson's hand, you would have said, "What! heaps on heaps with this!"
No; bring out some polished blade; bring forth the Damascus steel! NO; but God
would have all the glory, and, therefore, not with the polished steel, but with
the jaw-bone must Samson get the victory. So with ministers; God has usually
blessed the weakest to do the most good.
—Charles Spurgeon, "The
Necessity of the Spirit's Work," Revival Year Sermons Preached in
the Surrey Gardens Music Hall 1859 (Banner of Truth, 2002), 55.
After reading this, it began to simmer and stew in the back
of mind. While at a Christian concert this last weekend it hit me.
I am not even a sword, I am a dull, rusty, nicked dagger. I
am far from perfect. I have flaws, I am a sinner, I get angry, I get sad, I say
things I shouldn’t, and do things that are wrong. I get tired, I am weak, I
have my limits. I am no different than the person behind me in line at the
grocery store.
On my power alone the battle would be lost. I am a small
dull and rusty dagger.
How then can God use me?
Because I am willing.
“20 Now in a large house there are
not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and clay, some for
honorable use, some for dishonorable.21 So if
anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument,
set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee from
youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along
with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” – 2 Timothy 2:20-22
HCSB
I may be a small dull rusty dagger, but I have made myself
available. I have chosen to follow Jesus, I talk to Him, I study His Word, and
this makes me useful to the Master.
I am not powerful, I will not win battles against powers and
principalities on my own, but God will! He uses me. He controls me. He gives me
His strength. He gives me His knowledge. He makes me a powerful warrior for His
cause.
I battle while on my knees in prayer, I battle when I share
the gospel, I battle as I preach His Word to all who will listen.
With this small dull rusty dagger my God will break through
barriers, He will heal the sick, save the lost, and spread His message of love.
I am just His tool, a small dull rusty dagger in the hand of
an Awesome God.
His power, not mine. His strength, not mine. He is
triumphant and the Glory belongs to Him, I just want to be used by Him. That is
my simple prayer, to be used by God.
A small dull rusty dagger can be used to do amazing things
in the right hand.
Whose hand are you in? Are you willing to be used by God?
Set yourself apart and make yourself useful for God and be
amazed at what He can accomplish in you and through you.
God Bless,
Robert
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