"Remnants"

 

“Remnants”

 

Many flooring and home furnishings stores have a section of carpet remnants available at greatly reduced prices. These are essentially leftovers from installations or large rolls as well as discontinued colors and patterns. People seeking to outfit seasonal vacation homes or rental properties can often find significant savings by exploring this option.

Remnant is a familiar term in Scripture, occurring 65 times, all but three in the Old Testament. The most common Hebrew word means a remainder or what survives. It first appeared after Joseph had revealed who he was to his brothers and calmed their fears by saying, “…God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” (Genesis 45:7). Its most common usage, however, refers to Israelites who remained faithful to God during times of national rebellion and captivity and will return to Him and their land (“In that day the remnant of Israel…will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God.”—Isaiah 10:20-21). The Lord’s brother James, leader of the church in Jerusalem, applies the prophecy “…that the remnant of (people) may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my (i.e. God’s) name….” (Acts 15:17 from Amos 9:11-12). So there always have been and always will be faithful followers of God’s ways—without them you and I would never have heard the message of forgiveness and hope through Christ. Examples abound from Noah to the apostles to those today who stand for the right when the wrong is popular in every corner of the world.

Getting back to the floor covering thought brings an uncomfortable question to my mind: Do I give the remnants (or leftovers) of my time, abilities and financial resources to God? Solomon’s wise counsel reminds me, “Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.” Then, speaking to the agrarian society of the day, he adds, “Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.” (Proverbs 3:9-10, TM, emphasis added). In other words, God’s blessings will flourish.

By God’s grace I’m part of His remnant but He deserves far more than my remnants. A line of a hymn from my teen years tells me, “But unto Him is due (my) best, (my) all.” Am I ready to give it?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan