God Assigns the Tasks

I listened to a message today entitled A Call To Service by Alistair Begg. Teaching from 1 Corinthians 16:

The words of the hymn writer are accurate and helpful: "There's a work for Jesus none but you can do".

Do you ubelieve that? And do you know what the work is? And are you doing it? First of all you need to know that there's a work to do. Then, you need to know what the work is. Then, you need to go ahead and do it.

Look at the wonderful way in which God chooses to put these people together. Timothy--the man who was apparently so disqualified for service. Naturally timid, that's why he's has all these things to say about make sure he has nothing to fear when he's with you. Physically frail, why he has to keep taking a little wine for his stomach's sake. And chronologically disadvantaged. Young. "Let no man despise your youth, Timothy", he says. People would look on and say, "It doesn't make any sense a'tall, that you, the mighty apostle Paul, would take the baton of faith and entrust it into the hands of a fellow who's always getting an upset stomach, who is always naturally timid amongst people, and frankly, looks far too young to be useful for anything." Everyone looks at him and says, "Why did you send a boy here?"

And Paul says, "I understand that kind of thinking, but here's the deal--God assigns the tasks."

If you've never listened to a message by Mr. Begg, I encourage you to do so. He's very easy to listen to--and the Scottish brogue makes it all the more pleasant! :) The Truth for Life ministry recently made thousands of his messages available for download. Browse through the archive--I'm sure you'll find something profitable.

Being a lover of the old hymns, you know I had to find the full text of the hymn quoted at the beginning of the post. I had never heard it before--and I like it! Here it is:

There’s a work for Jesus, ready at your hand,

’Tis a task the Master just for you has planned.

Haste to do His bidding, yield Him service true;

There’s a work for Jesus none but you can do.

Refrain:

Work for Jesus, day by day,

Serve Him ever, falter never; Christ obey.

Yield Him service loyal, true,

There’s a work for Jesus none but you can do.

There’s a work for Jesus, humble though it be,

’Tis the very service He would ask of thee.

Go where fields are whitened, and the lab’rers few;

There’s a work for Jesus none but you can do.

There’s a work for Jesus, precious souls to bring,

Tell them of His mercies, tell them of your King.

Faint not, nor grow weary, He will strength renew;

There’s a work for Jesus none but you can do.

~ Elsie D. Yale, c.1912 (listen)