Saturday, June 10, 2017

2Chr 32:1-8 - A Biblical Confidence in God's Sovereign Action Leads to Believers' Vigorous Action

Sometimes, I have heard it said of confidence in God's sovereign action that it will stifle believers' activity.

And indeed, I have heard believers describe their laziness or passiveness as "giving the situation over to God"--as if their acting was somehow preventing Him from doing so, or an indication that they did not trust Him to do so.

While it is perhaps true that believers who speak like this were not trusting God previously, their newfound passivity and inaction does not mean that they have now begun to trust Him.

Look at the flurry of Hezekiah's action here:
"And he strengthened himself, built up all the wall that was broken, raised it up to the towers, and built another wall outside; also he repaired the Millo in the City of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance. Then he set military captains over the people, gathered them together to him in the open square of the city gate, and gave them encouragement, saying" (vv5-6)

What drove such a frenzy of action? Was it because he was not "trusting God to work"? By no means! Notice the very next verses:
"“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah" (vv7-8)

Simply put, when Christian's believe it in a biblical way, they do not do less, but rather more, when they possess the certainty that the Lord is working and will continue to work.

Do I believe this about the Lord, according to His promises and character? Then it will not be demonstrated merely by a warm, ethereal feeling while I fold my hands. Rather, it will be seen by my vigorously pursuing all of the means that God has placed at my disposal. After all, if our Father is working, then so shall we!

No comments:

Post a Comment