Focus: Grace Differs

Text: Num.7:9

"But he gave none of the wagons or oxen to the Kohathite division, since they were required to carry the sacred objects of the Tabernacle on their shoulders."

God is intensely personal in His dealings with His people. God calls and equips each person differently. His grace upon our lives differs from person to person, and it is in accordance with each person's assigned task. Paul says, "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…" (Rom.12:6). 

In the parable of The Talents, the Lord Jesus Christ tells us of the action of the traveling Lord, "And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability…" (Mt.25:15). God gives us His grace differently and He supplies us with the resources of grace according to our unique abilities.

Three brothers were called to work in the tabernacle of the Lord, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, but they were assigned different functions (Num.26:57). The twelve princes of Israel gave six wagons and oxen to be shared among them. Then the Lord instructed Moses to give two wagons to Gershon and four to Merari, but nothing was given to Kohath. God is beyond us in the way He does His things. He does not seek our opinions or counsel; He only demands our obedience. Going by the way we reason as humans, the proper thing to do would have been to divide the wagons equally among the three brothers, but God thought otherwise. In His infinite wisdom, He gave the older one less, the younger one more, and the second one none. Interestingly, the Lord gave Moses the reason for giving Kohath no wagons, not even one. We read, "But he gave none of the wagons or oxen to the Kohathite division, since they were required to carry the sacred objects of the Tabernacle on their shoulders." The Kohathites had no need for the wagons because of their unique role. God equipped them to bear the holy ark of the covenant upon their shoulders. They needed no wagons for their assigned task.

Do you remember the story of Uzza and Ahio? The Scripture says, "And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God" (1Chron.13:9,10). God is all-wise. His ark required shoulders, not wagons or carts. Gershon and Merari needed wagons to carry other articles of the tabernacle, but the shoulders of the Kohathites were chosen and consecrated to bear the holy ark of God.

Stop complaining about what God has not given you, and be thankful for what He has given you. Stop comparing yourself with others! You are not them, and they are not you. Focus on your sacred assignment! Stay on your lane! Abide in your calling!

Your 'shoulders' have been set apart and fitted by God to bear His holy ark. It cannot be carried any other way. You don't need 'wagons' to fulfill your divine role on earth. What your sacred shoulders can do, their wagons cannot do. God uses wagons and shoulders for different things. With or without wagons you can still fulfill your place in history. 

Read what the Scripture says about Samson, "And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand…" (Judg.14:6). Samson tore a lion in pieces with his bare hands. He had no weapons or wagons in his hands. 

With your shoulders you can accomplish mighty things for the Lord. All you need is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in your life and ministry.

Luke records that "God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul" (Act.19:11). Just let God be God in your life. If He wants you to have wagons and oxen, you will have them, and if He wants to use your 'shoulders,' heartily and gladly oblige Him. Understand that grace differs and God gives us exactly what we need to have in order for us to do what He wants us to do. Embrace your unique grace and let God be glorified through you!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter