"First, before we can do great things for Christ there must be a sense of [our own] weakness. Secondly, there must be trust in promised strength; and thirdly, there must be fear removed by that promise: 'Fear not, for I will help thee.'"
Charles H. Spurgeon
Whenever God wants to move in a mighty way He often asks one or more of His children to step out onto a ground that appears to be very shaky. On this now fourth day of Advent, the most likely example of this is found in what God asked Joseph and Mary to do. Their story was one of challenge and intrigue and would leave every generation after themselves spellbound at the trust they displayed in their God.
My favorite Christmas movie is called The Nativity Story, produced by Temple Hill. The thing I love the most about this movie is that it really seems to depict the lives of Mary and Joseph in a very realistic manner. It does not hold back in telling their story from the vantage of the religious, traditional, societal, and emotional obstacles that they experienced in order to behold the greatest gift of God ever given to mankind.
Though the ground beneath them quivered and quaked, the truth was that God was with them and they were destined for victory. They continued in their journey with the assurance that God would help them and that He, alone, would see His mission through to fruition. They literally laid down their own agendas to see the fulfillment of the plans of God.
While none of us will ever again birth the Son of God in the flesh, there are many other great things that God wants to accomplish in the earth. And, in order for these things to be birthed, our lives must be laid down to the King of all kings. It will never be our will or our strength that will accomplish God's plans or will usher in a mighty move of God.
We must be conscious of our weaknesses before we can walk in victory. God will not go forward with a person that is walking in their own strength. As a matter of fact, God will empty out all we have before He will fill us up with Himself. Our emptiness is preparation for a mighty filling of God's Holy Spirit.
This is how we are assisted by divine strength. We contemplate our nothingness in light of God's greatness. Like the psalmist, David, said, "What is man that You remember him, the son of man that you look after him?" (Psalm 8:4).
Independence and self-sufficiency preclude us from bearing the eternal fruit that God desires. Charles Spurgeon said that the only fruit that God accepts is "the seed of which was sown from heaven, sprinkled in the heart, and harvested by the sun of grace." This is the fruit that is the result of a person who truly understands their own weaknesses.
Spurgeon goes on to say that if we really want to see God do great things through our lives that we must also trust in the promised strength that God gives. No matter what God asks us to do, if He helps us we can do it. Again and again, God promises us that He is with us and that He will help us. One example is Isaiah 41:13 which says, "For I am the Lord your God, the One who takes hold of your right hand, who says to you, 'Don't be afraid, I am helping you.'"
To be helped by God is an honor. While we may never understand the timing or the methodology, there is no greater privilege as a child of God. He is with us and He helps us.
Therefore, we must work to put away all our fears. This is the number one tool that the enemy of our souls uses against us. We can literally "What if" ourselves into a frenzy. Fear is painful. It weakens us and it dishonors God.
Fear is focusing on the wrong things and anxiety (which is generalized fear) chokes out our faith in God. It keeps us from apprehending God's best in our lives. Charles Spurgeon said,
"Ye trembling souls! dismiss your fears;
Be mercy all your theme:
Mercy, which, like a river flows
In one continued stream
Fear not the powers of earth and hell;
God will these powers restrain;
His mighty arm their rage repel,
And make their efforts vain.
Fear not the want of outward good;
He will for His provide,
Grant them supplies of daily food,
And all they need beside.
Fear not that He will e'er forsake,
Or leave His work undone;
He's faithful to His promises-
And faithful to His Son.
Fear not the terrors of the grave,
Or death's tremendous sting;
He will from endless wrath preserve-
To endless glory bring.
If we live surrendered, humble lives and trust in His promises, we will walk in victory when we stand against fear. While I recognize that each of us may have a thousand things that we could focus on instead of God, I also see that God will reward a steadfast life. Interestingly, I believe there is a correlation that the more turbulent the times in which we live, the greater the reward. There is so much He wants to do in these times in which we live. Pray for a vision and revelation and then trust Him to do great exploits!
"You and I can do nothing of ourselves; we are poor puny things; but let us attempt great things, for God is with us; let us dare great things, for God will not leave us."
Charles H. Spurgeon
No comments:
Post a Comment