I bet you are familiar with the phrase, “God helps those who help themselves.” That adage is not actually in the Bible anywhere. Maybe you are experienced in Christianity and know the faith is much about God’s grace.
God’s grace and abilities far surpass ours and the idea that God can do anything is certainly true. That being said, it can become quite tempting for Christians to sit back and wait on God. And in the wait, do nothing.
King David instructed his son Solomon that while David had drawn the plans and stockpiled the materials for construction of the Lord’s temple, the task of assembling those materials fell on Solomon. David gave Solomon a pep talk that can certainly apply to us today: “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.” I Chronicles 28:20 (NIV)
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work.”
Did God have plans for Solomon? Indeed! Part of those plans was to rebuild the temple.
Had God promised to never leave nor forsake Solomon. Yes.
Did God still expect Solomon to roll up his sleeves and get busy? Absolutely.
Maybe you, like me, sometimes want to spend more time in the waiting than the working. God authored it, maybe he can complete it? But God often works through creation, including people. We need to not only believe in God, his promises, and his Word, we need to be willing to put some sweat equity into it.
We need to do what God has called us to do. Don’t worry, I believe God will still show up and do more than his fair share. I wonder if he wants us to grow our faith by striking out of our comfort zone, do our part, and then watch him do his. Just like Joshua leading the Israelites around the wall of the Promised Land. Their marching didn’t topple the barriers, but their obedience demonstrated their faith in God. They simply did what he said. And then God showed up and destroyed the city’s defenses.
While we are working, we are not alone. Recall the second portion of the verse: God will not fail you or forsake you. He’s there. He sees the effort. He witnesses the diligence, determination, and dependence on him as we apply ourselves to the task God gave us. He will reward that obedience.
It can be hard to know where to start and how to proceed. But God promises to help us with discerning those items too. Will you join me in prayer for just that?
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for the promises to never leave me nor forsake me. Thank you for the promise that I can ask for wisdom and you will supply it. Please also grant be a great work-ethic. I want to whole-heartedly set about to work at the tasks you have given me. Give me a desire to apply some sweat equity into whatever you have called me to do. In Jesus’s name, Amen.