LifeLink Devotions

Thursday, September 21, 2023

The context of the first seven verses of Isaiah 49 is prophetic. Jesus the Messiah is being foreseen, and He is the one spoken of.

Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, who is fully and eternally God, was called by the Father to accomplish His will – to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel that had been kept by God. But before He clarifies the call God confirms the commitment. Was Jesus, the Son of God, in all His eternal glory, willing to humble Himself and become a man, taking on the form of a servant, if that’s what it took to accomplish God’s glory? Or would He consider that calling too small a thing for someone so qualified? So the Father makes an addition to the call. The Messiah would be a light for the Gentiles – you and me – and bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

Isaiah 49:6   “And now the Lord says, ‘It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

When I first started out in ministry, I served two small churches in rural South Dakota. To provide for my family, I needed full-time employment. I spent almost eight years in bi-vocational ministry.

Years ago, as the church I pastored was growing, we had a need for a part-time associate pastor. We searched for a long time. We were discouraged by the unwillingness of those called to ministry to serve the Lord in bi-vocational ministry. The call seemed too small for them.

We have created a culture in our modern church era that places ministry on the same level as professional employment. Granted, the Bible teaches that the workman is worthy of his hire, but the same Apostle who wrote that first taught by example how to be bi-vocational to ease the burden on the local church so ministry to people could flourish. Time and time again while contacting potential applicants the same response was given – “I have my degree, I’m a professional, and I have certain pay requirements, and I can’t do part-time.”  In some cases, the hearts of the applicant were right based on the needs of their family, and I respect that. But there were far too many people that made it clear that our position was too small a thing for them.

I believe that we are in denial about how serious this issue is in our own lives. We don’t want to take the time to reflect on how much the materialistic society in which we live has impacted our willingness to serve Jesus sacrificially. I truly believe that there are things God has called us to do that we have determined are beneath us and don’t meet our needs. We are blinded by the immediate and therefore miss the glory that could be seen. We have climbed to the mountain top of our pride and forgotten that the only view of God’s glory is from the lowest place.

When I recently travelled to the Philippines and to India, I met men and women who understand the call of God to serve Him. They know there is no call too small. They know there is no need to put conditions on God’s call. Obedience to God’s call will always be accompanied by God’s provision to accomplish it. We tend to put the provision ahead of the call, and that is not how God works. There’s a reason for that…because that puts us in a position to receive glory to ourselves. If we focus on the provisions as a condition, then when the task is complete, we will believe we had some part in making it happen. God has stated clearly that He will not share His glory. (Isaiah 48:11) If we are seeking to provide for ourselves, then God will not honor the work we are about to do, for it is not 100% being done for Him.

What a blessing it was to meet pastors who sacrifice their personal ambitions out of love and reverence for the One who saved them. As for me and you, let’s be ready to consider any place He takes us for any reason, and not consider any call too small.

Pastor John