Ezekiel 17:24
“And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have
brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up
the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have
spoken and have done it.”
Israel’s best days seemed to be over. They had been taken captive,
and the promise of David’s seed sitting on the throne forever seemed to
have been diminished. All that was left in the country were the remnant
of people whom the king of Babylon didn't want to take into his country.
These people who were left were not the “talented” like those who were
taken captive, and their hope of ever seeing their country coming back
to glory was all but abated.
However, God gave them hope in the verse above by using a parable about a forest to inspire them. God said that one day “the low tree” would be “exalted.” He said that one day the “dry tree” would “flourish.”
God was giving hope to this remnant that He could make something out of
them. He was reminding them that He didn't need the talented to fulfill
His word because He is God, and He is very capable of taking the
“nothings” of life and making them something.
One of the common questions I hear as I travel is if I think God
could use someone. One thing I have learned throughout my life is never
to discount the ability of what God can do through someone’s life. It
doesn't matter if the person has fallen in sin and recovered, if they
are not talented, or if they seem to have physical hindrances, I have
seen God take all of these and greatly use them in spite of their
shortcomings. Three observations can be taken from the verse above that
should encourage you.
First, God is in control. God saw “all the trees of the field,”
and He was able to do with the forest what He willed. You are no
mistake with God. God didn't wake up one morning shocked at what has
happened in your life. What you consider a physical impairment is a
divine design by God. What you consider a talent shortcoming is a
powerful opportunity for God. My friend, God is in control, and your
inability to see beyond what you consider an impossibility is all part
of God’s plan to use you.
Second, God knows who you are. Out of all the trees in this forest, God still noticed the “low” and “dried up”
trees. One of the greatest obstacles that many people face is how could
they ever be noticed. In the world’s viewpoint, you have to know
someone to be exalted, but not in God’s world. God knows who you are and
where you live. You don't have to promote yourself to be noticed; you
just have to do right and serve the LORD. God sees what you do for Him.
He knows your daily battle to live a pure and holy life. You just need
to keep on doing right. You may think that God doesn't know you, but if
He knew the “low” and “dried up” trees, I can promise you that He knows you.
Third, God is capable of exalting you. The verse above says that God “exalted the low tree.”
Christian, God doesn't need you to be talented, intelligent, or
physically perfect to exalt you, He just needs your obedient spirit and
trust that He can use you just like you are. The God Who is capable of
making the dried tree flourish again is capable of taking you just like
you are and exalting you.
Let me encourage you not to allow what you consider your
shortcomings to discourage you from serving the LORD. God has the power
to exalt you if you will do right and serve Him.