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Sticks and Stones and a Dead Man's Bones

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty (I Corinthians 1:27).

I. ONLY A STICK

God had a great work for Moses. God instructed him to return to Egypt and to deliver His people.

"How, Lord?" Moses asked. "How can I, a shepherd, go up against the power and the might of a Pharaoh?"

God knew how!  "Moses, what is that in your hand?"

"Just a stick, Lord; a shepherd's rod."

"Throw it down, Moses, and you'll see!" God said.

The history of Moses' rod is, of course, now world famous. Moses dedicated that stick – that rod – to God. Moses used that rod to bring plagues upon the land of Egypt. With that rod, Moses rolled back the waters of the Red Sea. With that rod, Moses smote the rock and from it came refreshing water. On the ground, Moses' rod became a serpent that ate up the serpents of the magicians of Egypt. Held high, Moses' rod commanded the angels as they fought for the Israelites.

Writer Walter B. Knight has said that "big things in life show WHO we are. The little things of life show WHAT we are."      

II. A FEW STONES

When David went out to face Goliath, the giant knew nothing of God. He had only himself – a man nearly nine feet tall – a spear that looked like the beam of a tree, and a sword which a normal man couldn't even lift. Goliath came forth with blasphemies on his tongue, his chest covered with armour, his soul vexed with the insult coming toward him armed 

only with a sling and five smooth stones.

But David stepped forth with a prayer and released a stone in the name of Jehovah God. He said, "Goliath, you come against me with your spear and with your sword, but I come against you in the name of the Lord God of Israel."  And David saw a giant fall!

You, too, can be victorious over the giants which seek to destroy you. And you, too, can dedicate little more than a stone to God and see victory come to you. Maybe it's but a stone of faith, or a stone of prayer, or a stone of small service, or a stone of limited courage. But use it in the name of the Lord and you'll sing a victor's song.

III. EVEN A DEAD MAN'S BONES HELPED BRING VICTORY

Historically, it has been documented that Elisha performed all of Elijah's miracles two for one, with a single exception. Elisha, during his lifetime, only raised one individual from the dead – just like Elijah.

However, after Elisha was dead and buried, the dead body of a soldier was thrown hastily into the grave with Elisha. When the dead man touched Elisha's bones, there was still power enough that the man revived and walked out of the tomb. God still spoke. God still preached. God still moved through the bones of the dead prophet.

Even when we are spiritually dead, God's Spirit can breathe on us and the wind of God's mouth can pass over us and we can stand up and live again just as surely as those bones in Ezekiel's valley.

God preaches His grace in many ways today. He will speak to you and me even through sticks or stones or even a dead man's bones. 

It is as the songwriter said, "Little is much if God is in it."

And what does all this say to you and me right now? Merely that victory in the spiritual battle is of God and not man.

Spiritual battles have only spiritual solutions. 

That each of us – no matter our qualifications (or lack of) – no matter our talents (or lack of) – that each of us CAN be victorious if we offer to God what is in our hands.

After all, God is not so much interested in our ability as in our availability.

Feedback

Brother Richardson, your statement, "Spiritual battles have only spiritual solutions," struck a cord in my heart this morning. And it is amazing how God uses little things to get a message through to us. Thank you!

Mary-Margaret Morris
Campbelltown, NSW, Australia

Spiritual Solutions is a great word for the seasons of time right now. Thank you for your making sticks, and stones, and a dead man\'s bones a living testimony today.

Pastor Jimmy Jones
Christ Central Church
Columbia, South Carolina

Thanks, Brother Carl, for reminding us of God\'s ways. I heard just recently - Moses knew God's ways - the Israelites just knew God's acts. Elisha and David also knew God's ways. God can make anything natural - "supernatural" - and He can speak "something" out of nothing. "Teach us Your ways, oh God, that we may walk with You." What an adventure! God Bless!

Cindy Pace
Cleveland, Tennessee

Brother Carl, I remember you preaching that message at our campmeeting here in Northern New England. After you illustrated Moses, you spoke of Shamgar and his ox goad (stick) Judges 3:31 and the job he did on the Phillistines to deliver all Israel from oppression and defeat. Many wonderful memories!

Pastor David R. Bean
Bangor, Maine