They're too tired, sick, not available, don't know how, no experience, will fail, and on and
on the excuses go. People try these same excuses with God. But there's a difference, God
knows, and you can't get away with excuses with Almighty God.
I want to start off by saying something that I've said before, if God has asked you to do
something, He will provide you with what you need to accomplish it...no excuses!
Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Here are a few people from the Bible that failed God, but God wouldn't take their
failures or circumstances as an excuse not to serve Him.
Noah got drunk.
Genesis 9:20 & 21 "And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a
vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken: and he was uncovered in
his tent."
Jacob was a liar.
Genesis 27:19 "And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have
done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison,
that thy soul may bless me."
Samson was a womanizer.
Judges 16:4 & 5a "And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the
valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came
up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength
lieth"
Sarah laughed at God.
Genesis 18:12 "Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am
waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?"
Moses had a speech impediment.
Exodus 4:10 "And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent,
neither heretofore, nor since Thou hast spoken unto Thy servant; but I am
slow of speech, and of a slow tongue."
Elijah was suicidal.
1 Kings 19:4 "But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came
and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might
die; and said, It is enough: now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better
than my fathers."
Jonah ran from the Lord.
Jonah 1:3a "But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the
Lord."
Peter denied Christ.
Mark 14:71 "But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man
of whom ye speak."
Lazarus was dead.
John 11:21 "Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my
brother had not died."
There are many more that I could have put on this list. All these people had sinned
against God or had circumstances that seemed to prevent them from serving God.
Especially Lazarus...he was dead! But we find that there is nothing that can stop
us from serving the Lord if we have a heart that is fixed on Him and a desire to
honor Him through our lives.
Some of these people we even find in Hebrews chapter 11, the Bible Hall of Fame!
Noah (vs 7); Sarah (vs 11); Jacob (vs 21); Moses (vs 24); Samson (vs 32).
There is no reason that you can give God as to why you can't serve Him. We are all
sinners, we all have our shortcomings, fears and limitations. We all have things in
past that we are ashamed of. But our God is able to use us regardless of our past,
our failures, our limitations!
Zacchaeus was short, Abraham was old, Timothy was young, Martha was a worrier,
Rahab was a harlot, Leah wasn't pretty, Job went bankrupt. Everyone can find an
excuse if they want too.
Jesus never found an excuse to do what His Father asked of Him, to pay the price
for our sin on Calvary. He went willingly.
Hebrews 10:4 - 7 "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats
should take away sins. Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith,
Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared me.
In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast had no pleasure. Then
said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do Thy
will, O God."
Jesus is our example. He lived obedience without excuse. We will probably never
be asked to give our lives for our faith...but would we be willing? Are you willing
to do today what God asks of you, without excuses. There is no one that God
can't use, if they present a themselves as an offering to the Lord. How wonderful
it is to be used of God!
1 Corinthians 4:2 "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found
faithful."
Stop the excuses and start serving!
Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Armed with the sword of salvation,
Join in the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example;
His life for others He gave;
Give Him your loyal devotion,
Give Him the best that you have.
Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service,
Fully surrender each part.
Give, and to you shall be given;
God, His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.
Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love;
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above:
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin's ruin to save;
Give Him your heart's adoration,
Give Him the best that you have.
Howard B. Grose
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