“Does an ax exalt itself above the one who chops with it? Does a saw magnify itself above the one who saws with it? It would be like a rod waving the ones who lifts it! It would be like a staff lifting the one who isn’t wood!” – Isaiah 10:15

The other day I was working alongside my 9-year-old son. We were removing screws from the floor that were holding down a layer of subfloor. My son was using his screwdriver and I was using a cordless drill. Naturally, my son wanted to use the power tool. So, I explained to him that it was really easy to strip the screw heads when using a drill, so you needed to know what you were doing. Several moments later I stripped out a screw and he was quick to remind me of my own words! Tools are great, but even the most powerful tool is worthless at its best and destructive at its worst in the hands of someone who does not know how to use it properly. No matter how great the tool, the praise belongs to the one who has the knowledge and skill to use it properly.

Each of us is an instrument in the hands of God, meant to accomplish his work for his kingdom. No matter how talented or intelligent we are, left to our own devices we are useless at our best and destructive at our worst. We need to be constantly reminded that we are not the ones who get the glory. Does the drill brag about how powerful it is, or the table saw boast of its precision? Likewise, we should always make sure the credit goes to the hands of the Master.

Mighty and powerful God over all creation, thank You for the incredible privilege of being involved in Your work. We are unworthy instruments in the mighty work of Your Kingdom. Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever. All praise and honor and glory belong to You and You alone. Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon