Psalm 96:1-3 O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

This will be the first of three devotionals on the gifts. This one will deal with natural gifts.

The most visible of the natural gifts are those of performance. Singing and playing music is two of the more often seen within the church. Not the only ones, just the easiest to visualize. If you have witnessed performers with a talent for the art, you have probably heard the term, “God given talent”.

You might have also heard those words fall on the lips of unbelievers. They exclaim the obvious gifting of certain individuals whose talent far exceeds those of normal performance. Mozart was one example of talent who many claimed to have “God given talent” but was not a man of God in his personal life.

Then there are those who grew up in the church. Their gifts were recognized and they became the center point of worship. Soloist with a growing audience who sought fame outside the choir or the church. Many secular singers began in the choir, then left for monetary success. Once leaving the protective covering of the church, they fell to the ways of the world. This is not to say they were not saved, that is not for me to judge. This is about talent, natural gifts, not salvation.

Neither should we look to those that stay within the fold, serving a ministry within the church as a sign of salvation. Talent, the natural gifts, is like rain which falls upon the just and unjust alike. If it be that we find among ourselves those who do possess “God given talent” we should not look up to them but unto God.

Verse two tells it all in “shew forth his salvation”, the only thing that counts.

James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

I was about to speak out in boldness about an issue I have with error. Then I opened my bible software and here is the verse for today. Man, what a conversation killer that was to see. I knew in a moment that what I had planned to write was not to be written.

Was I wrong? No. Was my lesson worth learning? Yes. Was it of God? For me yes, for you no. God can and does impress on me strong words. It isn’t like He is shouting at me, but the impact is bold. That does not mean I get to turn and act the same towards you. You are not me and God treats you differently than He treats me.

God treats us as individuals; that is what having a personal relationship with God means. I do not get to lay on you everything that God lays on me. Luckily for you I recognized the staying hand of God. I have a gift but I do not get to wield it like a weapon. My hand may be upon the hilt, but the arm is not mine.

Even my speech here in these words could use a touch more grace. I know this because I know the Lord. Even in writing that, I can see those words lack meekness in wisdom. Yet that is how I know the Lord and how can I tell you about His entreaty of me without confessing my faults as they relate to our relationship? We only have this relationship because you read these words.

Yet the Word of the Lord yields a relationship which goes beyond mere words. His Word is not convincing, it is transformative. I can convince, exhort, encourage and burden you with my words but only His Word transforms. Only His Word speaks deeper than rational thought, deeper than conscience, deeper than emotion and changes your heart, for it is His dwelling place.

I speak from that heart.