06/01/2025
If left to our own devices, what would we Who Are We Without God?be like? If God was withdrawn from the equation of our life what would the solution of our lives be? I don't know if I really want to contemplate this or not because something tells me I won't like what I see. As I read Pastor Oswald Chambers this morning, he made some interesting observations regarding how we would rather do works for God than with Him. Listen to what he wrote:
"It is much easier to do something than to trust in God; we mistake panic for inspiration. That is why there are so few fellow workers with God and so many workers for Him. We would far rather work for God than believe in Him." - Oswald Chambers
I had an interesting conversation with a wonderful young man one Monday evening following a prayer session; he told me that he felt much more comfortable working on the periphery of things than in the limelight. I think that if we were honest with ourselves most of us would rather do our work without the responsibility and accountability. It isn't that we shun working, but that we don't want to be held accountable if things are not done on time or correctly.
We have a tendency to deal with our faith and doing God’s will in much the same manner. As Chambers wrote, there are many more people who want to work for God than those who will work with Him. A few years ago I was on an intercessory prayer team that met each Monday evening. If I was in prayer with someone whose electricity was about to be turned off, (and, if I had the means), it would have been much easier for me to simply pay their light bill than to trust in God to provide as His will dictated. Certainly, I would appear to be a saint to the recipient of that "good work", but what would the Glory be that God would receive from my individual action? Praying that God's will be shown to that person, and for a miraculous provision, or some other solution to be provided, places our trust solely in God, and we, as His workmates in prayer have been called to pray, We should deliver the word(s) that He desires to be spoken. His spirit will then move on some benefactor, and a job will be found, or money will appear... and God will provide and receive the glory for His provision... in this way more than one person's faith will have been bolstered in that process.
Each of us has a job to do as we work with God. Some of us will pray with those seeking Him and let them know that God hears their cry and is coming to their aid, others will be moved upon to fill the needs of the needy, and then others yet, will work through mental issues and the deep crisis of faith that confront people. All of these things, as we work them with God, will require that we trust in Him.
So, the second thought that Chambers shared this morning came as an answer to my question... "If God was withdrawn from our equation what would the solution of our lives be?" Chambers dealt with this directly as he wrote:
"When God wants to show you what human nature is like apart from Himself, He has to show it to you in yourself. If the Spirit of God has given you a vision of what you are apart from the grace of God (and He only does it when His Spirit is at work), you know there is no criminal who is half so bad in actuality as you know yourself to be in possibility. My "grave" has been opened by God and "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing." - Oswald Chambers
God does show us the human animal that is the true nature within us. I think He does this because by letting us see this animal in others leaves us wiggle room to escape the conviction of who we are! Sin is not the resident and nemesis of everyone else... it resides in each one of us with just as much strength and vengeance, and if not for the Spirit and presence of God residing within us to displace it, we are at its mercy. Paul spoke of this in Romans...
“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.”
Romans 7:18 ESV
Has the Lord shown you boldly who you have the propensity to be without Him? If He has done this it wasn't to abandon you, or remove hope, but to bring you to a point where you will embrace Him all the more. One of the greatest pleasures in having completed a journey is to look back on it, and see how far you have come, while gaining satisfaction in all of the obstacles that were overcome... it isn't just about the wonders you passed along the way. Then as you walk through those memories with the Lord you take even more satisfaction from being in the place at which you have arrived.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your Holy Spirit and his dwelling within me. I thank you for saving me from myself and the nature of sin that lurks within me... waiting for the opportunity to seize upon me. I thank you for sending Jesus Christ who suffered, died, rose, and ascended as He worked out your will to defeat sin and death within me. Holy Father, I thank you for reminding me of just how far I have come in my faith and love for you. As I remember who I was and see evidence of who I might be once again, I shout your praises all the more, knowing I would be lost should I ever stray from you. Lord keep me with you always and never let me return to those sins and that sinful person who once was me. Keep me in your loving arms and allow me to dwell with you forever. Your grace abounds, and your presence within me leaves no room for sin and evil to encroach... live in me always. Father let me be your vessel and teach me to work with you as I strive to accomplish your will and glorify you.
Amen
Rich Forbes