April 20

“The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” —1 THESSALONIANS 5:24

Many Christians, in their heartfelt endeavours to please God, become more disillusioned, disappointed and discouraged in time. They start off with sincere motivation and wonderful intentions, but their expectations fizzle out. Why is it that in our genuine desire to please God our endeavours often seem to fall flat on their faces? 

We know both Abraham and Moses experienced something like this in their endeavours to please God. They had dedicated themselves to serving Him, but in their eagerness, had attempted God’s work without Him. After ten years of hearing God’s promise of a son ringing in his ears, Abraham agreed to Sarah’s suggestion of sleeping with their handmaiden, Hagar. They bore a son and Hagar was told by an angel of the Lord to name him Ishmael, meaning ‘God will hear us’. Ishmael was not conceived in an act of rebellion against God, but in an attitude of agreement with God. 

At the age of 40, Moses realized his destiny was to free his people from Egyptian captivity. When no one was looking, he took it upon himself to kill an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave. When Pharaoh heard of this, Moses was forced to flee Egypt, and spent the next 40 years of his life on the back side of the Midian Desert, herding sheep. Moses would be 80 years old before God would pick up the pieces of his life.

From the burning bush on Mount Horeb, God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites; ‘I AM’ has sent me to you’.” (Exodus 3:14) God made Himself known to Moses as the Eternally Present One; not a God who was at the burning bush, giving instructions; not a God who will be at the final destination, but a God who is at all times operating in the present tense, and is always sufficient, always available. 

Paul writes, “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” This is a fundamental principle of Christian living. God is always the means of accomplishing His will through us. It is not our strategies or plans He is looking for, but our willingness and availability to implement His plans into our lives. Like Abraham and Moses, we all have to learn to wait patiently upon God. But when we live with a disposition of heart that says, “Lord, I’m willing and available”, we can be sure He will use us, but it will be at God’s calling, not our own, and in His timing.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to recognize your timing and lead me along the path of service You have chosen for me. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: Do I attempt to initiate work for God under my own ingenuity?