Do we initiate or does God?
Do we make ourselves a success or does God?
Does God help those who help themselves? In other words, the self-initiators?

There is certain attractiveness about that thought and it is very American. “We have built this city!”

Implication is that it is through our own cleverness, hard work, ingenuity, innovation, we have made ourselves. Therefore, we must stay active. We must initiate.

However, that is an unbilblical concept. Christianity is not about action, but about reaction. It’s what God has done on our behalf and our reaction to it.

Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

“Then, what is the point of doing anything? Can’t we just stand still and do nothing and God will do everything?,” you may ask.

The mystery and privilege is that God does His work THROUGH us rather than independent of us or initiated by us. We are His agents through whom He works. We neither initiate nor thwart His plan. His will will be done. It’s simply a matter of whether we will be willing participants of His will or unwilling or unsuspecting instruments. Either way, God will be glorified. Either way we will be used for that purpose. Only difference is whether we would be willing or not.

If God’s will be done anyway, I’d much rather be a willing participate in His plan then be an unwilling instrument. Why resist the Current?

God is in control. His will will be done. Relax. Trust in His goodness. Abide in Him…

PH