The mission

As discussed earlier in other themes, the call to serve God begins with true conversion, then comes sanctification. The mission will only come after being taught, prepared and qualified by the Lord Himself. God will first make sure that we are ready for this step. King David, to take his story as an example, received from the Lord through the mouth of the prophet Samuel that he will reign over Israel.

1 Samuel 16:12-13 " 12 So Jesse had him brought in. Now he was ruddy, with attractive eyes and a handsome appearance. The Lord said, “Go and anoint him. This is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn full of olive oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day onward. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah."

David was anointed but did not begin to reign immediately. At that time Saul was still reigning over Israel, but wanted to kill David, because he knew he would succeed him. The fact for David to have been persecuted by Saul is a test through which the Lord made him pass to qualify him before giving him the management of his people. And we can say that David was up to the test because despite his life constantly in danger, he never tried to kill Saul. Despite the multiple opportunities he had, He remained faithful to Yahweh, and did not compromise himself by killing God's anointed.

1 Samuel 24:10-11 " 10 Today your own eyes see how the Lord delivered you—this very day—into my hands in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I had pity on you and said, ‘I will not extend my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s chosen one. 11 Look, my father, and see the edge of your robe in my hand! When I cut off the edge of your robe, I didn’t kill you. So realize and understand that I am not planning evil or rebellion. Even though I have not sinned against you, you are waiting in ambush to take my life."

And when the Lord's time had come, David became King of Israel. Only God has the power to decide when we are ready for the mission. As the bible says, " So then, it does not depend on human desire or exertion, but on God who shows mercy" Romans 9:16.

We must not improvise a mission without God's agreement, at the risk of attracting fights and trials for which we are not prepared.

2 Corinthians 10:13-14 " 13 But we will not boast beyond certain limits, but will confine our boasting according to the limits of the work to which God has appointed us, that reaches even as far as you. 14 For we were not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach as far as you, because we were the first to reach as far as you with the gospel about Christ."

Paul the Apostle recognized that he had limits that he could not crossed in the context of mission. He could not, even if he wanted to, go and preach the word in cities where the Lord had not sent him.

Acts 16 : 6-7 " 6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do this,"

When the children of Israel came out of Egypt, the Lord did not lead them through the territory of the Philistines, which was the shortest way to enter Canaan. In Canaan war awaited them. The mission there was to fight against these people to take possession of their territory. But God said, Lest the people repent when they see the war, and return to Egypt, (Exodus 13:17), so he turned them around in the wilderness for forty years, to train them and get them ready for the mission, for the war.

Like the children of Israel, it can also happen that we are afraid to face the mission. But God in his goodness and love knows it. This is why he always arranges everything around us so that we can fulfill the mission. In the Bible we have examples of men of God who were afraid of missions, such as the prophet Samuel when he was sent by God to anoint David as the King.

1 Samuel 16: 1-2 " 1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long do you intend to mourn for Saul? I have rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your horn with olive oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem, for I have selected a king for myself from among his sons. 2 Samuel replied, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me!” But the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord."

It is clear that Samuel was afraid, and manifested this before God, who found a reason for him. We can also cite Gideon, who was a judge in Israel, and who was sent by Yahweh to destroy his father's altar of Baal, as well as the idol of Astarte which was on it. It is true that he feared his father's house, but he still obeyed Yahweh by carrying out this mission at night, without anyone knowing.

Judges 6:27-28 " 27 So Gideon took ten of his servants and did just as the Lord had told him. He was too afraid of his father’s family and the men of the city to do it in broad daylight, so he waited until nighttime. 28 When the men of the city got up the next morning, they saw the Baal altar pulled down, the nearby Asherah pole cut down, and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar."

In view of these two examples cited above, the observation we make is that beyond the fear they had to act, their hearts were all the same disposed to obey the Lord. God does not expect us to show courage that we do not have, but just to have the will, and he will do the rest. We must open our heart and reveal our fears and worries to him. And because he knows our hearts and minds, he will nevertheless see in us the desire to serve him and will help us to accomplish the mission.

Whether to preach the word of God in the street, to exhort in a congregation, or to begin a humanitarian work, if the Lord has really commissioned us, he will equip us first. He said in his word that with him we will do exploits (Psalms 108:13). Let us take courage and may the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all. Amen!

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