Numbers 4:2 “Take a census of the sons of Kohath from among the children of Levi, by their families, by their fathers’ house,
The legendary guitarist Chet Atkins was performing one evening and playing wonderfully, as usual. At intermission, a fan went up and was excited to meet the star. Wanting to complement the master he gestured toward toward Chet’s instrument and said, “Your guitar sounds great tonight!” At this, Chet took the guitar off and placed it on its stand. He then asked the fan, “How does it sound now?”
After the second half of Exodus and all of Leviticus, the children of Israel are almost ready to leave Mt Sinai and proceed to the Holy Land. A lot of detailed instructions have been given. In chapter 4, Moses, at God’s direction, speaks to the sons of Kohath, Gershon, and Merari. These were sons of Levi, ancestors long gone. They were the ones tasked with caring for and assembling/disassembling the tabernacle as they moved from place to place.
This group was chosen by God for this task. They were chosen, not because they were seen as being the most spiritual or the most holy. They didn’t work themselves into the position by studying and taking a series of qualifying tests. They were chosen because God chose them and they accepted.
It’s easy to feel insignificant, or unqualified to participate in God’s mission to influence others for Him. To say a word for Jesus, or join in ministry often seems daunting because we feel so unqualified. But a couple of things are true:
Luke 19:10 Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost
Mathhew 28:19a (Jesus calls all His disciples to) Go therefore into all the world and make disciples
As we read Scripture, it becomes abundantly clear that (and very comforting!) that generally speaking, God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called! If He can make you a new creation, He can help you accomplish His purpose for you! The guitar on the stand was insignificant until it was placed in the master’s hands. What can’t God do if we are in His hands?
Blessings,
Pastor Russ
