Last night at the Living Room (or Sunday 19/3/17 depending on when you read this) I talked about the Servant’s strength based off Isaiah 50. And the basic meat of the message was that back in Isaiah’s day the words of the prophet rang loudly because the people had stopped relying on God for their help – their basic strength to get through the day – and had started relying on themselves.
The line at verse 11, “…you who live in your own light and warm yourselves from your own fires and not from God’s; you will live among sorrows,” indicates that the people were walking in the light of their own successes and not recognising God in it.
I don’t think much has changed, and if fact, I believe this problem has gotten worse in our day in age. The challenge is recognising how God is involved in the every day. I think it’s all too easy for us to just kind of write off God’s involvement in the little things, and this partially stems from the fact we believe in free will.
Free will is something God gifts us so we can make our own decisions. However, that’s not to say that God isn’t, or shouldn’t be involved in those decisions. I remember having a conversation with one of my best friends. He’s not a Christian by any means. One day I asked him what of my faith, if anything, during all the years we’ve known each other has stood out or stuck with him. And he said he’d always remember how I’d never take full credit for things that I’d accomplished. That instead I’d always thank God for helping me, or allowing me, or leading me through or to do something.
He was almost mad at me that I’d do such a thing, actually. He thinks of me a good man and he admires the work I’ve done with the church and with youth over the years, but he just has a thing about pledging one’s life and love to God instead of living for one’s self. (side note: this is part of a larger conversation that you might find relevant, and if so, I’d love to talk more about it sometime. let me know in the comments or next time you see me.)
But the point isn’t just recognising that God helps us, but actually relying on his help instead of ourselves or things we’ve set up to fall back on when we get into a jam (THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT SAVINGS AND BANK ACCOUNTS ARE NOT OKAY!! Relying on God does not give us licence to be irresponsible, but to be grateful!)
But this isn’t just about money and things either. It’s about drawing upon God’s strength in times of desperate need, in times of injustice, in times of hurt and sadness, in times of utter despair, etc. Left entirely up to ourselves to get through some of the hardest times we may ever endure, we may decide it’s just easier to give up. And maybe that means letting others hold you down because it’s just to hard to fight back. Or maybe giving up means you quit caring about something because the barriers in the way just never keep from popping up. And unfortunately, sometimes, taking the easy way out – giving up – can even lead to suicide.
BUT, if we look to God for strength, for our help in trying times we can overcome. There are things worth fighting for! You are worth fighting for!
It takes a greater strength to actually stick to your guns rather than taking the easy way out because it may spare you some pain.
Think of the imagery the servant uses about being beaten and mocked and the strength he had to carry on serving God in the face of all that.
Think of the strength Jesus had in order carry on through the pain and humiliation of his execution.
Think of the strength it took for the civil rights activists whose lives were constantly threatened, to organise sit-ins, marches, and freedom rides. (and if you don’t know look up civil rights on youtube and dive down the rabbit hole)
Think of the strength Nelson Mandela had to be wrongly incarcerated for 27 years, AND then the strength he had when released, not to retaliate with violence, but to reconcile in love and progress.
The help we receive from God comes in so many ways. Let’s not forget that. In fact, we may need to re-learn how to rely on God, and remember that God’s help is our strength.
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:12-13
Let me know your thoughts in the comments. And also, if there’s anything from last night you’d like for me to discuss more at length, let me know down below. Cheers!
-jonathan