The Working of God's Power

"...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places..." Eph. 1:17-20.

My mental picture of working somehow includes manual labor! But this isn't the case when Paul writes about the working of [God's] mighty power which He worked in Christ.

The Greek word is transliterated energeia - that's right: energy. His work is not a labor, it's the expression of His power! The word is defined "efficiency, operation, strong, effectual working."

The next form of this word (which He worked in Christ) comes from the same root, and is transliterated energeo. It appears to be the active form of this energy -- to do, to be. It's defined, "to show forth self, to be mighty in."

Both words come from energes, which is used in Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is quick and powerful..." The definition is simple: active, operative, effectual.

The same power, working and energy that God used to raise Christ from the dead is what He wants to make active in my heart! It's for His glory, for He wants this energy to be showing forth Himself through me -- to be mighty in me.

Wait Patiently

"If you want to hear God's voice clearly and you are uncertain, then remain in His presence until He changes this uncertainty. Often much can happen during this waiting for the Lord. Sometimes He changes pride into humility; doubt into faith and peace; sometimes lust into purity. The Lord can and will do it."

- Corrie ten Boom

"If you told God on your knees that you had reached an impasse and ... were handing it over to Him, then leave it with Him. Do not go to the first Christina you meet and say, 'You know, I have an awful problem; I don't know what to do.' Don't discuss it. Leave it with God, and go on the watch-tower."

- D. Lloyd-Jones

"His leading is only for those who are already committed to do as He may choose. To such it may be said: 'God is able to speak loud enough to make a willing soul hear.'"

- Lewis Sperry Chafer

These quotes, from a current Bible study, were a convicting reminder to me. It's about believing God (again).

Is the third quote entirely true? In the Bible we see God's clear leading even for people who chose to reject it. What about the men who Jesus called to follow Him? They placed other priorities first; they wanted to say good-bye to their families; they wanted to finalize business.

Regardless, the concept that I need to learn remains. Do I ask for God's will so that I can weigh it as an option? Or am I committed to obedience?

My All-Knowing God

Many times, I know God has a plan. Maybe I even admit that God has a plan. But do I really believe in His plan? I've heard it said, "People say what they think they believe. But they will live what they really believe."

I've realized how I've doubted that God is truly all-knowing. Over the past few months, certain situations didn't work out like I'd hoped or planned. In fact, some longterm plans were completely cancelled. It was so close! I thought. It was so close to all working out!

As if God didn't know that.

Even when I didn't deserve to see and experience His faithfulness, He allowed me to see this week how He is all-knowing. If everything had "worked out" exactly the way I had wanted it to (two months ago), I would be in the middle of a disaster right now. I remember thinking, Everything seems so right; technically, things shouldn't still be on hold. Maybe there's a reason..."

A reason, yes.

God doesn't exactly work within my "technically..." expectations. And most of all, unexpected delays and changes (to me) certainly aren't unexpected to Him. They're part of His story; He wrote them, knowing every word in the upcoming chapter.

Reward

"Do you seek any further reward beyond that of having pleased God? In truth, you know not how great a good it is to please Him."

- John Chrysostom