THANK GOD FOR VOLUNTEERS – Pt 2

Exodus 17:8-13 “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”

Hur is a man who you don’t hear much about. I’m sure he was involved in more than is recorded in the Word of God, but this event here in Exodus 17 is what might be called his “fifteen minute of fame.” The incident here is not long but it was very valuable. Nothing done in the will of God goes without notice in His sight. You may not read of other great feats contributed to this great man, but every time you read this account you are challenged with his servant’s spirit.

In last week’s CHALLENGING CONCEPTS we explored the subject of the servant and his or her value to God and his leader. This week we are going to delve into the subject of the involvement of these unsung heroes who volunteer to get involved in the service of the Lord. Let’s take a look at it:

II. THESE SERVANTS ARE ALWAYS INVOLVED

Notice verse 10 “So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.” Notice also verse 12 “But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”

You do not read of Hur being a great leader like Moses. He was not a great General like Joshua. He was not even a High Priest like Aaron. He was just Hur. From the eyes of the world he was just a servant, but he was a servant in the hands of a sovereign God Who had chosen him for this task on this day.

There’s a song I use to sing years ago that says it best:

In the harvest field now ripened,
There’s a work for all to do.
Hark, the voice of God is calling,
To the harvest calling you.

Does the place you’re called to labor
Seem so small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forget His own.

When the conflict here is ended
And our race on earth is run,
He will say, if we are faithful,
“Welcome home, my child well done.”

Chorus:
Little is much when God is in it.
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.

I have been around some very talented people in my life. I have had the opportunity to sing in groups with people who had far better voices that I have. I played in bands with those who were far more talented than. I have been on church staffs with those with more administrative abilities; more speaking skills; and much greater personalities. But there is one thing I could do and that was be faithful to the task that was given to me. I could hold up the hands of those who were my authorities. I pray one day I will hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. You held up their hands very well.”

A person never knows the impact they have for the Lord no matter how little the talent or how small the task. On this one day in the life of the nation of Israel, there was one thing Hur could do and that was to hold up the hand of God’s man. And he did it faithfully. He put his heart and hands to the work and was actively doing what he could for the cause of God. He did the best job he could.

In the cause of Christ there’s a great job to be done and there’s room for every individual who will just be faithful. What task needs to be done at your church or Christian ministry? What could you do to help your pastor or other Christian leader? Get involved! There’s always room for one more.

I walk in church on Sunday morning and am greeted by someone who says, “Good morning.” They give me a bulletin as their way of holding up the hands of the pastor. An usher shows me to a seat as his way of holding up the pastor’s hands. The choir sings, the musicians play, the ushers receive the offering, my fellow believers give me a hardy handshake and the pastor preaches. All this is part of fulfilling the calling that God has given to do kingdom work. We all have a part and the best way to accomplish this is under the power of the Spirit of God and for the glory of the One Who gave Himself to redeems us from our sins.

You that are involved in the service of the Lord; I want to thank you and encourage you to continue to serve the Lord. Paul exhorted in Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” God doesn’t expect you to do everything everyone else can do. If you see a new believer or a new member of your church or organization, take them under your wings and help them to get involved. God will bless you for your encouragement to those individuals and He’ll reward you for your effort. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Next week’s CHALLEGING CONCEPTS will highlight THESE SERVANTS ARE OFTEN INVISIBLE.

That’s my view; how about you?