GRASSHOPPERS!
Numbers 13:31-33
“But the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.’ And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, ‘The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.’ ”
Over ten years ago I was faced with adversity and personal trial. There was a small group that aligned themselves against me and my ministry. They began to undermine and cast doubts on any who would listen. They even went so far as to call a few pastor friends of theirs who suggested I was too old for effective ministry and should resign.
I am ashamed to confess that I began to believe what they were saying and fell into one of the most trying times of my entire ministry. I felt like I was a grasshopper facing giants and could do nothing but surrender. Thank the Lord the majority of the congregation rose up and asked me to remain.
At that time my ministry was restricted to perhaps one or two hundred. I began to pray the prayer of Jabez as found in I Chronicles 4:10: Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.”
The Lord heard that prayer so completely that this poor “grasshopper” now has a ministry that reaches around the world. It is not me, but what the Lord is able to do through me that has made the difference!
Two thoughts I would like to share from my experiences:
1. Never look at another person as being a grasshopper. You may block their ministry for the Lord. Be their supporter and cheerleader to let them know they are not alone.
2. As you consider your own ministry for the Lord, realize that nothing is insignificant to Him. Charge into the task He has given you and allow Him to slay the giants that stand in the way of the work of the Lord.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
– – – Pastor Cecil