May 7

“On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” —ACTS 14:27

In Christian living there has always been a struggle between two primary ideas: what we do for God and what God does through us. Jesus is very clear about this issue. He said, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19).

When Jesus fed the five thousand and raised Lazarus from the dead He gave thanks to God - not after the fact, but before it. There is tremendous significance in Jesus giving thanks beforehand, as He was demonstrating to the people His confidence in His Father and dependency on Him to accomplish the task. It wasn’t what Jesus was going to do, but what He knew His Father would do through Him. When Paul came back from his missionary journeys he gave reports that were always the same. They were never about all the things he and his team had done for God, but reported on what God had done through them.

Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” And 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” There is wonderful liberation in these promises, because focusing on what God is doing through us takes the pressure off us and puts it on Him. Our job is to step out in faith, dependent upon God, and trusting Him to accomplish His purpose in whatever He has called us to do. 

That doesn’t mean everything will run smoothly. Wherever the work of God is being carried out we can expect opposition, not only on the mission fields, but in our homes and communities. There will always be pitfalls and hurdles, but when Christ is our strength, the difficulties will deepen our commitment, and we not only learn from them, but in them, experience the unlimited resources of Christ. We are never called to a task without the equipping and empowerment of Christ, and that’s where our confidence lies; not in what we are doing, but in what Christ is doing through us.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I consider it an honour and privilege to be called by You for any task. Keep me from ever relying on myself, and always dependent upon your enabling, equipping and direction. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: Am I apprehensive in stepping out for God or do I rest in His sufficiency?