1 Chronicles 4:23
“These were the potters, and those that dwelt among plants and hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work.”
Most people in life are average. When you look at the workforce of a country, most of those who make up that workforce are average people. When you look at a church, most of those who make up the workforce are average people. Yet, those who make up the workforce are those who make things happen. The talented few are not those who usually make things happen, but the average person who gets involved are those who make things happen.
When you read through 1 Chronicles 4, you see there were many different backgrounds of people who made Israel the great country they were. There were potters, landscapers, carpenters, military personnel, military leaders, seamsters, shepherds and average family men. Most of these in this list are not people whom you would think carry importance in a society, but God thought they were so important that He mentioned their names and their trades. I’m sure that many of these never thought that there was a place for them in God’s work, but He made it clear that there was a place for them in His work just like there is a place for you in God’s work. There are four lessons we can learn from this chapter.
First, everybody has a place in the work of the LORD. No matter what your talent may be, it is useful in the LORD’s work. As insignificant as you may think your talent is, God can use it. God gave you that talent because He knew He needed someone like you to use it for His service. There is a place for you in the LORD’s work to use the talent He’s given to you.
Second, no position is of less importance. If these positions were not important, then God would not have mentioned them in this chapter. The landscapers were as important as the military leaders. The potters were as important as the city leaders. The seamsters were as important as the rulers. Every position is important in the LORD’s work. Be careful about getting caught up in the mentality that makes one position of greater importance than another. Certainly, your position is important to you, and it should be, but in the whole realm of God’s work every position is important.
Third, every person is to be involved. God showed that every person involved with their talent helps His work to go forward. You must not use the excuse that you are not that important. Everybody is important! There is a place for you in the LORD’s work. Don’t hinder the LORD’s work by using the excuse that your talent can’t be used by God.
Fourth, one person absent from their position hurts the rest of those on the LORD’s team. All it takes is for one person to miss their position for the rest of the team to have to scramble and cover what you should be doing. When everyone is in their place of service, then the pressure of the LORD’s work is feasible and not as arduous.
Let this devotional be a reminder that there is a place for you in the LORD’s work. Simply find a place and jump in. Whatever talent you have can be used by the LORD if you will give it to Him.