Instruments!

As Ananias was told to go look for a man of Tarsus named Saul ( Acts 9:10-11), in view of his understandable hesitation due to the awareness of Saul’s purpose for having headed for Damascus ( Acts 9:13-14), Ananias was encouraged by the Lord that Saul was chosen by Him for a specific purpose.

We read…
“(15) But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a CHOSEN INSTRUMENT of mine TO CARRY MY NAME before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. (16) For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.’” ( Acts 9:15-16 ESV)

In short, Ananias went ( Acts 9:17), Saul was baptized ( Acts 9:18), his ministry for the Lord began ( Acts 9:19-22), and he soon became known as Paul.( Acts 13:9). Saul/Paul -- the Lord’s “chosen instrument -- and what an instrument he became going from persecutor to persecuted for the Name of Jesus.

When I hear the word “instrument” my mind thinks of more than one thing. I think of the instruments in the hands of a surgeon, or those used by a carpenter, or that which is associated with some other profession. The Greek word used in the above passage is “skeuos”, a word used with reference to a vessel or implement, household utensil, domestic gear, tackle and armament, etc. In Acts 27:17 we find it used for the gear of a ship. However, I also think of the instruments in the hands of musicians.

Whatever kind of instrument we may consider, with each one we understand they do not guide, function, or play (granted there are some programmed electronic musical instruments today) themselves. These instruments fulfill their function in the hands of the one who puts them to use. Paul was a chosen instrument in the HANDS OF THE LORD to do His Will.

Consider the idea for a moment in relation to musical instruments. When writing a piece of music, it is the composer (or arranger) who decides what parts they want each instrument to play. Together these parts make up a wonderful masterpiece. Sometimes there are solo passages. These may be completely solo with the other parts marked “tacit” (no playing) while other times the solo may be softly supported by the rest of the instruments. It is even possible for one part alone to seem a bit strange until other parts are added to it. I recently had the experience of playing a piece that my part (when practicing alone) seemed a little strange like it was missing something, but it all made sense when I performed it with the rest of the orchestra.

Instruments in the HANDS OF THE LORD to do His Will! Each of us has a part -- not the same part -- but together they harmonize just like Paul and others who labored in the Name of the Lord. Sometimes Paul’s performance of works was solo ( Acts 17:16-31) -- though not apart from Christ -- and other times it was a duet with Barnabas ( Acts 13:2) and another time with Silas. ( Acts 15:40) We even find him with a trio having John Mark assist he and Barnabas. ( Acts 13:5) Still other times it may have been a quartet or quintet or other ensemble heralding the message of Jesus. As instruments in the HANDS OF THE LORD, Paul and others brought the sweet music of the message of Jesus to the ears of others. May we remain open to the ways in which the Lord will fulfill His purposes with our life as well.

Have a great day BEING AN INSTRUMENT FOR THE MASTER’S MUSIC!
Carl

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