UNABLE
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: “I am has sent me to you.”’” Exodus 3:14, ESV
Theme: When I am not strong or competent enough, God reminds me He is enough, and He says “I AM.”
ALL THE PLANS
Two weeks ago, I had big plans. A workshop in the morning, focused duties in the afternoon, and a brand-new Life Group starting that evening. It was a packed day! I heard the alarm, flipped over to stop it....and my world spun, spun, spun. I slowly got up, got my bearings, and jumped in the shower. When I closed my eyes to shampoo my hair, I just about hit the floor. That’s when I was “grounded” by Mike. A day or two of nausea, meds, and a doctor’s appointment soon followed.
Not in my plans. In fact, NONE of my plans came to be. On a basic level, washing my hands, slowly pivoting to dry them on the towel, pivoting once again to exit the washroom—this was torture. Not being able to read, edit, study, or GO were all irritants. After a second doctor’s visit and much improvement, Mike agreed to let me take him on a test drive. I was several miles from the house when I was hit with another wave of vertigo. He helped guide me over and we swapped seats. So, I’m STILL grounded!
NOT BY MIGHT
Have you recently felt this way? Your self-sufficiency has suffered. You are hampered by your health, or your finances, or the need to care for an elderly parent. You just cannot up and go about your business. Or you don’t have the strength to do what you once could do or had planned to do? I am reminded of two things.
First, God told Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple after the exile in Babylon. But he was not confident. Nor were the people, who thought it was a small and insignificant temple, not the former glory. And they doubted he could even accomplish that much. But God!
“Then he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’” (Zechariah 4:6-7, ESV) It is not by might, mine or yours. It is not with our lion-hearted determination or any power or influence that we might have. When we are weak, it is easier to remember that it is totally by His Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord of Hosts. It was God who set the final stone in place on the temple. He just empowered Zerubbabel to bring it to pass.
LEST YOU FORGET
The second thing to remember is found in Deuteronomy, Chapter 8. Moses, the one the Great “I AM” chose to lead the people out of Egypt, spoke final warnings to the Children of Israel before he died. My paraphrase is this: When God has given you a good job, a happy family, some fame or influence; when you can take a vacation and have food in the fridge and eat out occasionally; when you have health care and doctors and all is right in your world, stop! Remember where it all comes from, “Lest you forget” (vs. 11) and “Your heart is lifted up” (vs. 14).
Make It Personal: I am thankful when I am brought low, whether by failure, a conflict, a misstep, or even a health issue. King David (based on what he writes in the Psalms) seems most determined to reach out and hear from God when he is in a cave or amid his enemies. Or when he has been confronted with his own sin. I am willing to be in that place as long as it takes.
Are you in a place where you cannot do it all? You may need human help, but first, look to God, for your real strength comes from Him by His Spirit. Even if He gives you just enough strength and courage to do a simple thing like ask a friend for help or a ride to the doctor.
Pray: My Lord, thank You for Your Presence. This week, I also thank You for family who help, doctors who care, scientific minds and medicines You created. I thank You for friends and coworkers who are fully capable of doing everything necessary...when I stop and ask them for help. Thank You for the quiet time with You and refreshing by Your Spirit. For those in need of Your strength and confidence, I ask You to pour out Your power and might to cover their lack. Empower them with Your Spirit. Help us to walk with and depend upon the Spirit minute by minute, daily, whether we are feeling strong or weak. In the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.
Read: Deuteronomy 8; Zechariah 4:6-10
Weekly Memory Verse: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1, ESV