Only A Little To Offer

John 6
9 There is a little boy here, who has [with him] five barley loaves, and two small fish; but what are they among so many people?

Matthew 14
18 He said, Bring them here to Me.
…
21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

A little boy, gave a little gift. No one knows his name. No one knows his life story or his testimony. He was just a little boy with just a little to give.
His gift was not praised or appreciated. What he had to give was questioned and looked upon as useless/hopeless. Even by Jesus’ chosen disciples.
It is really not important who gave, it is not important what his gift was but it is of utmost importance who it is given to!! He gave his little to Jesus! He gave it all to The Lord.
We don’t need to over romanticise his gift either. He did not give all his earthly possessions, we don’t know if he even gave all his food for the day… He gave a packed lunch. He simply gave what he had in his hand. But he gave it all and without reservation or condition.
No one knows the name of the little boy with the despised little gift… But we rejoice and glory still today in the testimony of abundance that Jesus created with the little that was given into His hands!

Exodus 4
2 And the Lord said to him, What is that in your hand? And he said, A rod.
…
17 And you shall take this rod in your hand with which you shall work the signs [that prove I sent you].

Oh may we give our little to The Lord, without reservation or condition, without desire for recognition or glory, and may we refuse to doubt what God can accomplish if we would be faithful to give our little things, just whatever we have, to The Lord Jesus Christ! In our hands it is indeed a small and useless little thing but in the hands of The Living God it will be a precious testimony to His glory!

The Requirement Is Faithfulness

1 Corinthians 4
2 Moreover, it is required of stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Faithfulness is synonymous with love. In fact James could easily have written “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so love [faith] without works is dead also.” (James 2:26) Or Paul could have written faithfulness “endures long and is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4). We cannot merely claim to be faithful, in the same way that we cannot simply claim to love. There is a proving in the course of time by our actions. In the small, unnoticed, unappreciated, taken for granted actions that we do daily. In the long suffering, in the enduring, in the weathering and abiding, in the preferring of others and the denying of self.
Men are so quick to honour position. They love to praise the pastor or the preacher, the great evangelist, the worship leader or scholar. The flesh praises flesh for its achievements and success. (Matthew 23:8-10). Where man loves princes God desires paupers. Paupers that live completely and daily dependant upon [faithful to] His life and blessing.
Faithfulness isn’t found in the spotlight. It isn’t glamourous. It is not proved in dramatic events. Faithfulness is quiet, consistent, steadfast, dependable, busy about its business, committed and dedicated to the cause. It is often unnoticed and unseen by man. Faithfulness is menial to the flesh but mighty with The Lord!

Luke 18
8 However, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith [faithfulness] on the earth?

When Jesus Christ comes He will find an abundance of pastors, He will find so many glorified worship leaders, evangelists and leaders… But who can find a faithful man? God Himself asks the question ‘Will I find any who are simply remaining faithful to me?’. Oh may we learn to die daily, confess sin often, rejoice evermore and, in humility, live to serve consistent and diligent in the small things. May we be doing business with the mina that He has given us and be found to be good and faithful servants. (Luke 19:12-17) Simply abiding in His wonderful presence.
May we also be careful to let The Lord’s heart live through us to honour and reverence faithfulness in others over fleshly fame.

2 Thessalonians 3
13 And for you, brethren, do not become weary in [faithful] well doing…

Rejoice Always, With Thanksgiving.

Philippians 4
4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!

If we would learn to obey just this one command… Oh how wonderful life would be!
Corinthians 11:24-25 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. [25] After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me
It is in remembering, rejoicing and singing God’s praises that we find His presence and victory! When we lift up Jesus in praise, He will draw all men unto Himself! It is in remembering Him and all that He is and all that He has done that we find joy and rest, hope and peace! But it is not enough to only remember! There is a victory in the singing! So sing out His psalms and hymns and Spiritual songs! Obedience brings blessing!
Don’t we have so much to sing about?! Don’t we have so much to be grateful for?! Rejoice that your names are written in heaven!! Rejoice in your Redeemer!! Rejoice in His promises!! Rejoice in His provisions!! Rejoice in how much you’ve been forgiven!! Rejoice that He has not dealt with us according to our sins and iniquities! Rejoice that He has not marked iniquity! Rejoice for His everlasting love and this day of Grace! Rejoice in His precious gifts and blessings that add no sorrow!!
God literally dwells in the place where His praises are offered. When we bring a sacrifice of praise, when we sing in the valley and sing in the fire… We bring His presence into our hearts! The darkness will become light, the mourning will turn to dancing as we take our eyes off of our flesh/trials and sing of our Saviour, Redeemer and God! He dwells in those praises! In His presence is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore! In His presence hearts are ministered to!

6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

This is a description of a truly intimate relationship with God. A relationship of true trust, dependence and submission. A relationship that should be a natural reality to the Born Again believer.
Paul says in “everything”! However dramatic or menial; however insignificant or consequential; whatever the time, whatever the situation, whatever the context. Bring it all before The Lord. Bring every care, every concern, every need, desire, hurt and failure. Come with liberty, come with welcome, come with honesty and humility…
But come with thanksgiving! Bring everything before The Lord but always come remembering all that He is, all that He has done, how He has met every need, how He has freely given Salvation, forgiveness, tender mercies and loving compassions, wisdom, freedom and victory! He has never failed! His arm is not shortened! He has brought you safely this far in His strength (not your own!). He is the sovereign God over all the earth! He is the creator, the maintainer, the beginning and the end!! Hallelujah!! We have very much to give thanks for!!

Give The Enemy No Credit

Job 1:20
Then Job arose, and tore his coat, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped

Job 2
9 Then said his wife unto him, Do you still hold fast to your integrity? curse God, and die.
10 But he said to her, You speak as one of the impious and foolish women would speak. What? Shall we accept only good at the hand of God and shall we not accept evil? In all this, Job did not sin with his lips.

Job never mentions the devil. He never gives the enemy any credit and never attributes to him any power or ability. He only sees and only fears His sovereign God who he is intimately acquainted with. Who he has walked with, talked with, trusted and proven!

It’s true that Paul talks of being hindered to the Thessalonians but… He DOES NOT say that the work of God was hindered. He DOES NOT say that his faith in or fellowship with Christ was hindered. He DOES NOT say that God’s sovereign plan was hindered! he only mentions it in passing concerning a personal desire to see them.

Born Again believers, the Temples of The Holy Ghost, who ought to be abiding in Christ and in the secret place of The Most High (where no evil can be!!), often give the devil far too much attention and give not enough reverence to the sovereignty of Almighty God!! The devil cannot touch God’s children abiding in Him without permission and that… Will always be for His glory to be revealed!

The devil has as much power over you as you attribute to him. Yes the devil is a powerful, crafty foe… But He is a defeated enemy before the sons and daughters of God.

Luke 22
31 “Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has demanded permission to sift [all of] you like grain;
32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith].”

Jesus is saying that Satan will indeed sift you!! But the sifting is only to reveal the grain! Let the chaff (flesh) be removed and let the glory of God be revealed as we abide in Him and keep looking unto Jesus who is the beginning and the end, the author and finisher, the Risen, Conquering King!! The one who has all things placed under His feet!! ABIDE IN HIM!!! He is the power and the glory! Yield and submit to His sovereign plan and timing. Trust in His faithfulness and loving ways. The sifting is painful but “When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous].” Job 23:10

Follow in Jobs example. Give the devil no credit. Attribute to him no power. When He is given permission to sift… Then may we be found on our faces in worship before The Almighty, Sovereign God! Hallelujah!!

Strength That Never Fails

Joshua 14:11
11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

May we never doubt the power of The Spirit and what The Lord can do through a willing, obedient vessel.

Not all of us will be blessed with physical vigour as Caleb but there is no excuse not to have such a testimony in the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, My grace is enough for you; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may be seen over me.

There was no loss of effectiveness and ability. There was no loss of confidence or faith. Caleb did not for a second doubt the power of God as he moved in obedience.

Let us encourage and remind the older saints of such precious truths. Oh, that there would be an older generation that does not slack in faith and vigour of The Spirit; who are fierce in prayer; who are mighty in compassion and unmovable in wisdom and faithfulness. Let us recognise those who are older in years of service and be challenged and inspired by their knowledge of The Lord and love for Him.

Too often the weight and responsibility of the future is placed upon the youth! This is reckless and worldly foolishness and utterly unbiblical! The young are to look to their elders and be encouraged and inspired; taught and trained! Oh may we look with awe to our examples and follow with joy in their footsteps. May we look to exalt our elders in The Lord who have walked before us, who have dug wells and springs in the valleys and desert places. Those who can share the never failing faithfulness of The Lord; those who have sought Him, found Him, proved Him and have been granted to be bearers of His glorious testimonies!

Our thinking is so backward today and we have lost the wisdom and pattern of God in this area.

Joshua 14:12
Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.

Caleb doesn’t ask for a small, easy patch. He doesn’t request land already conquered.

Caleb picked a fight! A mighty fight! A fight that he could not win on his own! A fight that would prove and glorify The Lord God. A fight that would be a mighty and precious testimony unto God. He saw the potential; He saw the limitless ability of Almighty God; He saw the testimony to be won and the abundant promise to be claimed!

Caleb was careful to confess that His victory relied solely on the presence and blessing of The Lord being with him. He did not aim/seek to take this mountain in His own strength.