You Can’t Do That!

I don’t know how often I have heard, in 30 years of ministry, these “encouraging” words, “You can’t do that!” I won’t go into any kind of episodes where I have heard it, just take my word for it. Our faith can be very small at times of challenge.

It can be challenged in our personal lives, or our family struggles. It can be challenged in our ministries and service for the Lord. When it is, those words will often surface in the challenge.
I was reading in 1 Samuel 14 for my devotions this morning and found the account of Jonathan and his armor bearer came upon a garrison of Philistine soldiers. We come to verse 6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for [there is] no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.

As you continue to read the Philistines call out “Come over!” The rest is history. Jonathan and his armor bearer were victorious against the garrison of Philistines. This garrison was in a strategic area the size of an half acre of land. In this initial battle Jonathan and his armor bearer killed 20 men. As a result the entire army fled the battle field and Israel was spared.

Now if a general had been with Jonathan on that day instead of his armor bear what do you suppose he would have said? You got it, “You can’t do that!”

When Jesus was confronted with the multitude at meal time away from town and provisions to feed them, there surfaced a little boy in the crowd who had his lunch with him; 5 barley loaves and 2 small fishes. Do you remember what the disciples said to Jesus when Jesus said he would feed the 5000 men plus women and children? You got it, “You can’t do that!” Well, their actual words were “what are they among so many?”

Can you think of more examples of God using small things to magnify Himself? Gideon’s army of 300 men? How about a man named Noah and a boat called the ark? How about a man named Jonathan Edwards who was faithful in preaching? When God attempts to do something great He usually uses something small to do it. That way He gets the glory!

Don’t despise the small things, because we have a very big God! Do you ever wonder why there is so much marketing of the church today? My theory is that the “big ministries” have lost sight of the bigness of God. Perhaps they need to market for you money because they have out grown the God of little things.

Well I don’t know where you are today my brother or sister, but never fail to remember how big our God is! You may be hearing “You can’t do that” today. Take heart! Paul wrote; “Let us not be weary in well doing for in DUE TIME we shall reap if we faint not.” “But my God shall supply all your NEEDS according to His riches in Christ Jesus!”

I suppose you are wondering if I have a song at this point, I do. Let me close with it’s words by Kittie Louise Suffield. Very little is known about her except that she and her husband worked for a time with George Beverley Shea and she wrote about 5 or 6 songs including the words of this little song. But what an “encouragement” these words are!

“Little is much when God is in It”

In the harvest field now ripened
There’s a work for all to do;
Hark! the voice of God is calling
To the harvest calling you.

Does the place you’re called to labor
Seem too small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forget His own.

Are you laid aside from service,
Body worn from toil and care?
You can still be in the battle,
In the sacred place of prayer.

When the conflict here is ended
And our race on earth is run,
He will say, if we are faithful,
“Welcome home, My child—well done!”

Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown—and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ Name.

Have a wonderful day serving our Wonderful Lord, by Grace Alone.