Our great God works in mysterious ways! We see from examples in the Scriptures, and in creation, that our finite human understanding may not be quite what is at all. Who would have imagined that our God would choose to redeem sinful man by sending His Son to be born to a poor young couple, and then grow up to die on an old rugged cross? Yet, when we look back at the prophecies of old, we see that the truth was there all the time; man just didn't understand it correctly until the mystery was revealed.

Who would have ever thought that God would take a young shepherd boy like David and make him a great king?

Who would have imagined that God would choose to have the royal blood line of our Lord run through the family of a former harlot named Rahab who helped the Israelites in the battle for Jericho? But that is our God!

As we look to the future toward the end times and all of the scriptural prophecies and signs recorded of those days, I wonder if these events will also take place in a way we have never imagined. Yet, in the end, every word of God will be fulfilled, and our eyes will see the truth. All the glory will go to God, Whose thoughts are not our thoughts, nor our ways His ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

One more mystery that comes to mind is that God would choose to use ordinary people to accomplish His great purposes. People like Joseph, Mary, David, Rahab, the twelve disciples, and yes, even me-- and even you! However, there is a requirement that all of God's children must meet in order to be an effective servant of the Lord. Our service and testimony must be in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is yet another mystery of our Lord, but there is a command nonetheless to be "filled with the Spirit" in our service. (Ephesians 5:18)

Jesus told the parable of a man who pleaded with his friend to give him bread for another friend, for "I have nothing to set before him," said he. Through the man's persistent pleading, the first friend finally gives him the bread for the other. Jesus finishes this story by teaching us "How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" (Luke 11:13) God has chosen to work His power through His people, but only if we allow Him to do so. We have nothing in ourselves to give to others, but the Holy Spirit will give them what they need through us, if we are simply a channel for Him to work through. Only our infinitely wise God would have chosen to work in this way.

Are you a Spirit-filled servant of God? As a clean vessel, ask your Father for the power of the Holy Spirit, to give to others what you cannot give.

I believe, when we get to heaven, we may be quite surprised to find out just who God's "choicest" servants really were on this earth. I am sure they will not be those who think they are. You know the type-- those who think the world revolves around them!