12/31/2018
Has God called you, and given you a job to do for Him? Is this job beyond your abilities, and have you been ignoring His voice because you feel inadequate? Perhaps you started to answer, but have let it go stagnate because you can’t see how to proceed... well in either case God is with you, but in order to overcome the difficulties and obstructions that you perceive are blocking you... you must lean on prayer, and listen to His voice. Then, as He brings success, you must give Him the glory.
“But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" He said, "But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."”
Exodus 3:11-12 ESV
God gives us jobs to do that are bigger than we are. He doesn’t do this to frustrate us, or to see us fail, but because He is bigger than we are, so His desires are large, and He also wants us to depend on Him as we go about completing whatever task He has given... lest we think we have done this thing!
“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.”
Isaiah 48:10-11 ESV
God calls us to do the hard things that we have no ability to accomplish on our own because He doesn’t want us to believe that it has been done by our hand. God doesn’t give us a task and then leave us alone to get it done... if He did that then we might come to the conclusion that this thing we did was because of our own ability, didn’t require God, and then we would assume the glory for it was ours. Never lose sight of one thing; God’s intention is not for you to be glorified, but always Himself, in this way His desire is to make for Himself a glorious name.
“who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name, who led them through the depths? Like a horse in the desert, they did not stumble. Like livestock that go down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name.”
Isaiah 63:12-14 ESV
In all of the various stories regarding the escape from Egypt of the children of Israel, we see Moses as the instrument, but in every case, except one, it was God that led them, and God that saved them. In the end that one time that Moses acted alone, by striking the rock to release the water, served to prevent him from entering the Promised Land.
“And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them."”
Numbers 20:11-12 ESV
Is there a rock in the calling of God in your life? Are you tempted to strike it? Is there something that you feel is about yourself, and not God? Is what you are being used to do bringing glory with it, but you wish to participate in it, or gather it to yourself? Are you stealing from the treasure of God by robbing Him of His glory and claiming responsibility for those things He has called, and used, you to do?
Perhaps it is something like praying for the healing of another. God has called you to be an intercessor and yet you claim glory for the work He does in answer to your prayers. Maybe it is more physical... the construction of a large church and the gathering of many souls for the kingdom, and when this has been done you claim glory in it; a glory that rightfully belongs to God alone. What is the rock you are tempted to strike? What is your temptation that undermines the calling and will of God in your life? It was God’s intention to reward Moses, but Moses took matters into a His own hands. It was God’s intention to reward David, but David saw Bathsheba and killed to possess her... he took matters into His own hands. So many personal failures are recorded in the Bible... then comes Jesus!
Jesus never absconded with God’s glory, and He never wavered from God’s will for Him. Yes, He redeemed all creation, but He never took an ounce of the glory for it. No, instead, Jesus took on the sins of the world... the most inglorious of all things. He shouldered the most horrible of sins, and indeed all sin, so that God might be glorified in redemption. Of all those lives and callings in the Bible, Jesus was perfect in all ways, and in God’s will for Him. He is our model, and the child in whom God is pleased.
So how are you answering God’s call and will for you? Are you allowing Him to use you in doing the things that are greater than yourself? If so, are you seeking personal glory? Are you seeking to be famous; the greatest Pastor, Prophet, or whatever you are called to do? Maybe you started out humble and subservient only to succumb to the temptation of gathering God’s glory to yourself? God gave you a calling greater than yourself, and He is wanting to help you in it. The questions then become personal ones... are you able to lean on Him in accomplishing what He has asked of you? Are you willing to stay in constant prayer with Him? Are you satisfied in being the instrument of His success without claiming His victory, and His glory? And finally the ultimate question... Can you resist the temptation of personal gain?
“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"”
Matthew 4:8-10 ESV
God calls and uses us to do His will, not ours. He gives us every gift, and every aid, that we need to accomplish it, and in the end He expects to receive the glory. When God calls us to do the things that are bigger than we are it isn’t the same as our list on the refrigerator which is comprised of our desires, and tasks we are capable of doing alone. God’s callings are amazing, and whether yours is healing or gathering souls, it is all about His glory, His power, and His mercy. Are you able to say “Here am I” when He calls, and “God is great” once the job is done?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for those things you have called me to do in my life, and Lord help me to do them in service to your will, and for your glory alone. Holy Father keep me from all temptation and don’t let the great things I do by your guiding hand woo me into assuming even a smidgeon of the glory which is yours alone in them. Hear my prayers Heavenly Father, and help me as I seek to work hand in hand with you to accomplish your amazing will. If my suffering is required then let me suffer in obedience, and if great notoriety comes, help me to deflect all such glory to you. I pray that you strengthen my faith, my obedience, and my humility, so that in your sight I am worthy of your pleasure, and that I might hear you say “This is my child in whom I am well pleased.” Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God of all goodness and glory forever! Praised be your name in all things, and may you be exalted and lifted up always, even as I a humble in your presence.
Rich Forbes