Responsibility — God’s Ability – CoffeeBreak With The Word

Francis Chan wrote a book, “Forgotten God” that talks about the Holy Spirit. All Christians acknowledge Him. Many are afraid of Him or at least of what He will direct them to do. The implied question in the book’s opening is this: Who do you believe can better manage your life – the Holy Spirit or you? Obviously if we believe that God is Who He claims to be, we should be able to trust Him without question, but… during a panic attack that hit me at 2 am a night or two ago, I realized how hard it is to ‘let go and let God.” Laying there in the dark with my heart pounding, I prayed -“Lord, my faith wavers right now because I only see myself in this situation and I know too well my inability to control or change the things that concern me. Please give me the courage I need to throw myself into the fight. Give me the wisdom to know to whom I should turn, the vision to know where to lead, and stamina to stand. Help me to conquer unbelief and to live with real joy today.” And, I fell into a deep, restful sleep!

When we get too focused on our responsibilities we can lose sight of God’s abilities. In that moment, we become vulnerable to all kinds of temptation. The Devil loves when we mistakenly allow ourselves to think that it all rests on our shoulders. We all deal with seasons of life when challenges pile up, when questions form and for which we have no answer, when others demand more of us than we think we can produce. The Christian enjoys a resource that those without the Spirit cannot know. Jesus said, “I will send the Spirit… He will lead you.”

Remember the tragic story of the failure that cost Moses the privilege of leading God’s People into the Promised Land? (Numbers 20) Thirsty, desperate people demanded the impossible: “Give us water now!” They attacked Moses and Aaron asking, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to this terrible place?” Amazing, isn’t it, how quickly today’s pressing need makes us forget yesterday’s troubles and even God’s faithful in the past. They forgot the awful lives in slavery that cost them their sons and daughters! Moses went to prayer and God gave him the solution: “Go out and speak to the rock and it will pour out water!” However, Moses held onto the sting of the accusations that he was failing as a leader. In a self-centered moment he let resentment boil over as he went back before the people who doubted him, accused him, … and he sinned.

“He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” Numbers 20:10-12 In implying that he, not God, was producing the water needed, Moses sinned. It’s so understandable, but God said it was unacceptable!

He dishonored God by taking too much responsibility on himself! What a powerful lesson for me. Our true Source is Jesus. He is our Rock and from Him pours the waters of a fruitful life. Honor Him by declaring your dependence on Him. Defeat Devilish lies. Destroy the fear that produces restless and/or sleepless nights, by looking to Jesus in humble confession of your dependence. He knows how to make you wise so you can meet the demands of your boss. He knows what you need to meet the needs of your family. He knows what your needs are TODAY.
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Make my life a prayer to You,
I want to do what you want me to,
No empty words, no white lies,
No token prayers, no compromise,

I want to shine the Light You gave,
through Your Son You sent to save us,
from ourselves and our despair,
it comforts me to know You’re really there.

Well, I want to thank You now for being patient with me,
Oh, it’s so hard to see, when my eyes on me!

I guess, I’ll have trust and just believe what You say,
Lord, You’re coming again, Coming to take me away.

Make My Life A Prayer
Melody Green © 1978 EMI Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music
Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing
CCLI License No. 810055

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