July 7 – Only one

"I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one" (NLT). Ezekiel 22:30

How many times have you heard someone say, “Well, there's just me. What can I do that will make a difference?” - maybe even said it about yourself? Yet, I've also heard it said, "I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do. What I ought to do, by the grace of God, I will do."

One godly man or woman can make a dramatic difference, even in the darkest of circumstances. Jesus put it this way:

"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world-like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:13 NLT)

Our Lord is telling us that a little influence can go a long way.

Go back in history to Judah and the year 640 BC – a time of pagan shrines, idols, and altars for child-sacrifice. Josiah's dad King Amon, who gave a new meaning to evil, has been assassinated. As an eight year old child Josiah takes the throne.

This is where we begin to see the difference one person can make. Despite the wickedness of her husband, King Amon, Jedidah (Josiah's mum) held to a different lifestyle and taught the growing Josiah about God and His Word (2 Kings 22:1-2) giving him a strong foundation for the responsibilities that faced him as he grew.

Aged 16 Josiah decided to follow the Lord, and by 20 years of age we find him beginning to cleanse the whole land of Judah of their idolatry. Still he felt he had more to do, and by age 26 he was surrounded by a team of believers who began to restore the temple. This in turn led to the discovery of the 'lost' sacred scroll of the Law of Moses. For the first time in his life Josiah listened to the Word and determined to obey all of God's Law.

Result? Judah cleansed of idolatry the whole turns back to God, thanks to the difference made by two indiviuals – Jedidah, Josiah.

Still not convinced you alone can make a difference in God's ministries, in a world of sexual vices, corruption, and the idols of pleasure and an 'I want it all and I want it now' society? You're mistaken. You might be the only Christian in your family . . . or the only Christian in your workplace . . . or the only Christian in your classroom . . . or the only Christian in your neighborhood. Perhaps you are struggling in your personal life....or, it may be illness, disability, bereavement?

The phenomenal can happen through the daily faithfulness and example of one individual standing true who may have been put there by the Lord to be an influence and, in a godly way, to move people in the right direction. God can do a lot with a little. .It is the power of one. Our lives can make a difference.

God is looking for that one who can make his or her mark.

Like the people of Judah and Josiah example, you may be the only Christian some people will ever know. The fact is that God can do a lot with a little.

Music today is “If My People with, Hear Our Prayer, O Lord.” Protestant Reformed Mass Choir Concert. Click on the picture to listen