THE LION AND THE MOUSE

Aesop once told a fable about the importance of kindness that went
like this:

Once a lion was asleep when a little mouse began running up and
down upon him. This soon wakened the lion, who placed his huge
paw upon him and opened his big jaws to swallow him. “Pardon, O
King,” cried the little mouse. “Forgive me this time, and I shall never
forget it. Who knows but what I may be able to do you a good turn
one of these days.” The lion was so tickled at the idea of the mouse
being able to help him that he lifted up his paw and let him go.

Some time after the lion was caught in a trap and the hunters, who
desired to carry him alive to the king, tied him to a tree while they
went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little
mouse happened to pass by and, seeing the sad plight of the lion,
went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the
King of the beasts. “Was I not right?” said the little mouse.

The moral of the story is that little friends may prove great friends.
While Aesop was known for his children’s fables of morality, the
principles behind his stories are good for us, as well. In our
Christian lives, Aesop’s principle could be stated as, “Little friends
can accomplish great things through Christ.”

Have you ever seen a small child giving a quarter or a few coins in
the offering at church? As adults, we mostly think such an act is
cute, but inconsequential. But if we think that way we are most
definitely wrong. God desires to use every one of His children who
are willing to be used. Our stature doesn’t matter to God; our
willingness and obedience does!

The Bible says, “For who hath despised the day of small
things?” (Zechariah 4:10a).
Paul wrote, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not
many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many
noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of
the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak
things of the world to confound the things that are mighty; And
base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath
God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought
things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence”

The devil is a master of playing with our minds. He brings guilt, self-
doubt, and depression into our lives to keep us from serving God.
He tells us that we are not good enough and that we cannot serve
God because of past mistakes. But just study the Bible and you’ll
see that it is filled with stories of imperfect, sin-stained, and flawed
people whom He used for His glory. God delights in using the weak
to accomplish His work because He is glorified.

What can you or I accomplish today? Not much on our own; but as
we surrender our lives to Him, including past failures, present
struggles, and future mistakes, God can use us to accomplish
things greater than we ever thought possible!

Yes, the lion could have easily killed the mouse, yet by showing
kindness he gained a new friend and helper in time of need. God
can use anyone – a small child, a sin-stained person like Rahab, or
even a mouse. THANK GOD FOR THAT! AMEN and AMEN!!!!!