“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, JUST AS YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED to one glorious hope for the future.” (Eph. 4:2-4) In addition to taking care of us, God has CALLED US to do great things for Him and make us a participant of His glory!
If we happen to forget His calling on our life, God will not cease to remind us of it: “…we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and ARE CALLED according to His purpose for them.” (Rom 8:28) Then He tells us what He will do to help us fulfill our calling, “I hold you by your right hand—I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I AM HERE TO HELP YOU.” (Isa. 41:13) And Just so we’re confident, “I, the LORD, have CALLED YOU in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.” (Isa. 42:6-7) It will amaze us, what the Lord will do through us as we obey Him…
“DO NOT BE AFRAID, for I have ransomed you. I have CALLED YOU BY NAME; YOU ARE MINE. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” (Isa. 43:1-2) Remember this very important fact, “God’s gifts and His CALL can NEVER be withdrawn.” (Rom. 11:29)
-Bill Stockham