Power Full
God gives you the power to do the work He has called you to do.
“The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses. Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.”
Exodus 39:30-31, 42-43
Things went well for the people of God when they followed the pattern of listening and then obeying what God asked them to do. God did not give them a roadmap that outlined the next decade. He gave them daily work to do according to their strengths and what was needed for the community.
Why does life get so complicated? What are the things that get in the way of us hearing and doing what God wants us to do? Is there anything you know to do today that you have not started doing?
“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations...Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you...Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord."
Psalms 89:1, 11, 14-16
One of the things we learn about David is that his focus was continually on what God was doing and it freed his heart to move forward. What is the faithfulness that David describes? It is all the ways that he has seen God work in his own life. Have you stopped today to consider all that God is doing or has done on your behalf?
David says blessed are those who have learned to acclaim God and walk in the light of His presence. David says it is a process and not instinctual. There is something to how he has learned to move beyond his natural, physical instincts that tend to be self-focused to a deeper spiritual understanding of doing everything in life through the power of God's presence with him. How would focusing on God's presence and provision over all other thoughts in your mind change how you feel?
“A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth...The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride...Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes. Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.”
Ecclesiastes 7:1-4, 8, 18, 20
When God offered to grant Solomon one wish, he asked for wisdom. This passage is full of wisdom that can help shape the way we look at life and is very different than what we hear in common culture. Ask yourself why each of the above statements is true? Who have you known that has demonstrated the wisdom above and how could the teachings contrast with what you have experienced?
The why behind each of these insights relates to how our hearts can always be learning and growing closer to the heart of God. God wants to teach you something today and give you more wisdom. What speaks to you from this passage? Why?
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land...Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:3, 5, 23-24
Look at what God says and what He does not say. He does not say I will raise up a King who will say all the right things and look the part. No, God says the measurement of faithfulness will be shown by the Jesus who will listen and obey. He is a king who will do what is just and right.
How would it change our actions if we lived as though God was with us at all times and saw all that we did, heard all that we said, and knew all that we thought? Is that not the case? Why do we live as though He is not present at times?
“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit...He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.”
Acts 1:4-9
Jesus does not call us to do work in our own strength. His kindness and faithfulness never ends. He has work for us to do, but gives us the power to do that work through the gift of the ever present person of the Holy Spirit.
One of the greatest mistakes we make is thinking that we are doing life alone. You are never alone. The enemy wants you to think you are unqualified and incapable of making a difference. He wants to get you to compare your strengths with others and lose heart. Jesus calls you by name and has great plans for your life. He invites you to a life of power and purpose doing the work He has prepared in advance for you to do. Before you go any further in your day, stop, and receive the power of the Holy Spirit then go and do what you were made to do.