Needed – spiritual blacksmiths!
A friend gave me the word for this post. It is taken directly from the daily devotional publication, The Word, July 4, 2008:
“The Bible says. “There were no blacksmiths in the land of Israel in those days. The Philistines wouldn’t allow them for fear they would make swords and spears for the Hebrews…. none of the people of Israel had a sword or spear, except for Saul and Jonathan” (1Sa 13:19-22 NLT).
To keep the Israelites in slavery, the Philistines removed all the blacksmiths. It was a devasting blow. Blacksmiths made swords to be used in battle and sickles to be used in the harvest field. Can you imageine the effect that would have on a nation? Satan’s tactics haven’t changed. His goal is still to silence the modlers and shapers of a new culture – a kingdom culture. Why do we need spiritual blacksmiths? Because they understand how to shape raw material into something God can use. They not only shape it, they sharpen it. All great leaders have emerged from raw material. And tomorrow’s leaders are walking around today in raw form just waiting for a spiritual blacksmith to come along…… Spiritual blacksmiths aren’t only needed in the local church, they’re also needed in the nation to reshape our culture. We need “influencers” who can reform the ranks of business, education, government and media….
It’s time for the spiritual blacksmiths in the land to break free from the constraints of the Philistines and return to the ancient craft of shaping men and women for God’s service. The battle is too big for Saul and Jonathan alone!”
Great thoughts to ponder. I love the metaphor of spiritual blacksmiths. It kind of goes along with what I was reading in Erwin McManus today on the importance of allowing God to show us something completely new, to create and to dream. Influencers…Yes, the job is large. We’ve got to give respect and support to culture shapers in the Christian sphere.