Who’s he? Nobody!
- jacarroll71
- Jun 23, 2015
- 2 min read
Today’s reading: Esther 7-10; Acts 6
2 And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. Esther 8:2
2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers,[b] pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. Acts 6:2-3
God uses whom He chooses for His purposes and is not limited to those who hold high standing in their contemporary society. In today’s readings, we find two men greatly used by God who were not particularly notable from the point of view of the watching world, well, not until God used them.
Mordecai is an example of a man who was faithful in the small things. He stepped up when his uncle and aunt died leaving a young daughter, Esther. He became her guardian and raised her. He reported a plot against the emperor, Ahasuerus, which may have saved him from assassination. Mordecai played a key role in saving the Jews from extermination throughout the Persian Empire when he urged Queen Esther to appeal to the king for relief. He took all of these actions without holding any power or position. He just did the right thing when he had opportunity. Yes, he was eventually recognized. His enemy was hung on the gallows meant for him, and he took over that villain’s property and authority. All this was by God’s providence.
Stephen was named to a group of seven servants whose task was to free up the apostles by serving tables, waiting on the widows of the Hellenists. God had an even bigger role for Stephen. He filled him with grace to do great wonders and signs and to be an invincible debater for the gospel (Acts 6:8-10). He was faithful in the position he had, and God allowed him to rise to greater prominence and effectiveness.
In my college days at home basketball games, our student body would taunt the players of opposing teams when they were introduced. After the announcer gave a name, one side of the coliseum would shout, “Who’s he?” and the other side would respond, “Nobody!” Mordecai was nobody. Stephen was nobody. Yet God used them mightily for His purposes in the plan of redemption. He still does this. Be faithful where you are, even though you may be considered nobody. You do not need a high profile position to do the work He has for you.
Comments