Bible Ballistics: BBs #674       My Sufficient GOD!!!

 

I want to talk about pronouns today!  There is a conflict between the “me” culture and the “we” culture, one of which is wrecking our world.  But in contrast our relationship with God is determined by the “ME” issue.  “I” must have a relationship with God—for it’s “my” God or no God!  You can’t choose “my” God, any more than I can choose “Your” God.  Yet, let me make it clear, when we come to Jesus in repentance and faith and are born again, we enter the “we” of the family of God, but the ‘we’ only comes when we belong to Jesus.  For example, if you’ll consider the model prayer of Matthew chapter 6, look at the pronouns:

“Our Father who art in heaven….

 Give us this day…

 Our daily bread…

 Forgive us….

 Our debts….

 As we forgive…

 Lead us…

 Deliver us…”   Portions of Matthew 6:9-13

Remember that only Jesus can change a “me” (selfish) heart into a transformed “we” heart!  Then our prayers can be focused on a ‘we’ heart, concerned with Jesus and how we can shine His light before those HE sends our way!  But if there is no relationship between “me” and God, there will be no substantial “we”.  That’s the reason that I titled this post “My” sufficient God—for because of what God has done, is doing and has promised to do, I can have confidence in His total sufficiency; on the other hand if you’ve not been willing to hear, heed and grow in The Word of God, you’ll lack sorely in confidence of HIS sufficiency.  That’s why we so often fail in our own devices and ways.  I/we must lean on HIM.

Consider the familiar Psalm 23 of David and ask yourself if you can say this about “your” God?  We can never lead others to know and love a God that we haven’t come to trust and follow faithfully ‘myself’—the GOD of “my” salvation!

“The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul:

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley

of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff

they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me

in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head

with oil;

my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me

all the days of my life:

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD

for ever.”  Psalm 23:1-6

While this Psalm is praising God, David is identifying with The God on whom HE has come to depend.  He trusts Him, because he has walked with Him.  David knows his God personally—the “me” that he is speaking of is secondary to the “HE” that he trusts.  What are we trusting to today?  A government check?  A job?  A friend or spouse?  Financial success (as the world defines success?)?  Yet when we walk with God, that brings a success beyond measure! And while the world may not consider me a success, that’s ok; because my desire and goal is to to be successful before ‘my’ God and hear HIM say “well done thou good and faithful servant”!  What about you?

May we join with Thomas and declare whom we will believe, love and serve. While I’ve never physically seen the nail prints in His hands (I know they are there because HE loved me enough to die for my sin, so I could live with HIM), I have seen His hand in my life continually, especially in recent months!

“And after eight days again his disciples were within,

and Thomas with them:

then came Jesus,

the doors being shut,

and stood in the midst, and said,

Peace be unto you.

27 Then saith he to Thomas,

Reach hither thy finger,

and behold my hands;

and reach hither thy hand,

and thrust it into my side:

and be not faithless,

but believing.

28 And Thomas answered and said unto him,

My Lord

and my God.”  John 20:26-28

Let’s consider the Apostle Peter after the resurrection and his failure, Jesus didn’t ask him if “they” (all the other disciples there) loved HIM but do “YOU” love me.  I believe HE is asking us that same question today, what would my/your answer be?  What answer does “my” life and “yours” give every day?  May you/I faithfully live in the confidence of HIS total, sovereign, sufficiency, and be His salt and light before a world in desperate need of The Savior?  (See Matthew 5:13-16)

“So when they had dined,

Jesus saith to Simon Peter,

Simon, son of Jonas,

lovest thou me more than these?

He saith unto him,

Yea, Lord;

thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him,

Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time,

Simon, son of Jonas,

lovest thou me?

He saith unto him,

Yea, Lord;

thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him,

Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time,

Simon, son of Jonas,

lovest thou me?

Peter was grieved

because he said unto him the third time,

Lovest thou me?

And he said unto him,

Lord, thou knowest all things;

thou knowest that I love thee.

Jesus saith unto him,

Feed my sheep.”  John 21:15-17

Is your/my life good food for the sheep, or are we so caught up in the “pronouns” of the world that we only have ‘leftovers’ and ‘junk food’ to share with the sheep and lambs of Jesus’ flock?  The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test.  And the master is coming soon!

Amen and Amen!!!