WE SHALL NOT DIE - Reading With the People of God #17Sample

God Will Do What He Says He Will Do

As a teen, I recall wondering what God was doing when difficult, even contrary things would happen. Watching my parents give their all in ministry, I couldn't understand hearing in a business meeting that the church wouldn't be paying my Dad that month because their bills were too high. I thought God would take care of His ministers, and that it would be through His people...the church. During these formative years, God revealed that He can use whomever He wanted to bless or judge in order to conform us to His image. Throughout this time, God used non-believers to bless our family; one woman even gave my mom her very nice car! Not only did we receive blessing, but, I have heard God scold me through the mouths of unbelievers as well.

This does not mean that we stop seeking Him through His word, and the church, but our reading in Habakkuk really demonstrates the power and decisions of the Almighty God as the Israelites continue to need judgment. Every day we take Him for granted (not unlike the children of Israel), worrying about things in the world that are frightening, and feel contrary to our understanding. Yet God can and DOES what He says He will do for HIS purpose. He is never manipulative, but directs things to happen and guides us to be aware that He has a plan and purpose for those who follow Him. If we are not in compliance, He will use whatever means necessary to guide us to a realization.

Our reading in Acts gives a more personal example. God’s commands are not suggestions! He wants our full devotion. Ananias and Saphira could have been honest and said that they were giving a portion. Their prideful desire to look good to others brought instant punishment and proved that they did not comprehend the Sovereignty of God. Even the response of Gamaliel (an unbeliever in Christ as Messiah, though religious) demonstrates a consciousness that God is working through His followers, and therefore, consideration made in how to treat these ‘Christians’.

Experiencing disappointment in the church (who are all still sinners and continue to need the grace of our Savior), and benevolence from unbelievers, caused me to pay attention to the opportunities for sharing God’s work. Most often, the gifts came because these unbelievers longed for the same relationship our family had with our Lord, and it became an avenue to testify. In the church today, there is more understanding in the work of ministry; we have learned to take care of others and realize how our world is affected. That’s the point. God is ALL-POWERFUL. He has a plan that includes those who love Him to participate in His work. The world is watching, and our obedience or disobedience matters.

Primer contributed by Gaylyn Mott: follower of Christ, teacher, musician, yarn artist, member of Cornerstone Community Church of Chowchilla