A favorite phrase of the day is, “Where the action is.” Some people and places appeal to many because they are centers of activity.
The constant source of comfort and joy for the Christian is that Jesus Christ is always found where the need is, and that he makes full provision for that need.
At the very beginning let us make clear the distinction between “using God” for our own purposes—a reflection on our concept of God and of Christianity—and appropriating the things God has made available for those who trust in him.
If a person in need refused to make use of something that was his for the taking and that would meet his need, he would seem foolish, to say the least.
While the world has no right to demand for itself blessings that accrue only to believers, Christians owe it to themselves to appropriate all that they have in Christ. No Christian, having received by faith forgiveness of sins and the redemption offered in the Gospel, should continue to live as a spiritual beggar.
First of all, we need daily cleansing. The world tarnishes, the flesh besmirches. On every hand we are confronted by the allurements of Satan. Sometimes we succumb, and the result is a soiling no earthly detergent can remove. Day by day we need cleansing and forgiveness, a renewing of spiritual concepts and perspectives. All this is available through the Holy Spirit.
There is not a day that we do not also need guidance to lead us out of uncertainty. The promises for such help are found all through the Bible. For example: “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Prov. 3:6, RSV). And from James: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him” (1:5).
Besides cleansing and guidance, God offers the Christian help for specific problems. Impatience! How common, and how detrimental to the Christian’s witness! God supplies serenity in the midst of pressures, quietness in turmoil, to those who seek it. For the Christian, the meaning of the phrase “inner resources” should be experienced and exhibited.
Who has not experienced an overwhelming sense of weakness when confronted by the many temptations and problems which are a part of living in the world? God supplies strength to those who are weak. Realizing this, the Apostle Paul was able to make the paradoxical statement: “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10).
Few indeed are the Christians who do not have a lack of genuine love for others. This lovelessness has one cure, an infilling of the Holy Spirit, who brings love. It is a discredit to Christians that so few obey the Lord’s command: “This I command you, to love one another” (John 15:17). He will supply this love that we need.
Never in the history of the world have people been subjected to such tensions as they are today in this contracted, complicated society. What a glorious opportunity for Christians to demonstrate quietness of spirit and of heart! But this is not something we contrive for ourselves. Rather, it is a blessing God grants when we rest in him and avail ourselves of such promises as, “Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee” (Isa. 26:3); or, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for thou alone, O Lord, makest me dwell in safety” (Ps. 4:8). Idealistic? Theoretical? Impractical? Try it and see!
For some, doubt is a problem. Satan raises questions about the validity of faith, through a book, perhaps, or a conversation, or a sermon. However it happens, the experience is disturbing; but our Lord is very willing to settle it for us. Faith is the answer to doubt. To those who are willing to receive it, God gives the assurance of the reality of himself and his promises. Faith should be so firm that with the Apostle Paul we can say, “What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every man be false, as it is written, ‘That thou mayest be justified in thy words, and prevail when thou art judged’ ” (Rom. 3:3, 4).
When one has caught a vision of the reality of God and the finality of his revelation, faith rests in him regardless of what may happen.
Often going hand in hand with doubt is discouragement. Thank God for the words of encouragement in his Word. God is sovereign, faithful, able, willing. We have only to appropriate what he has provided for us, and our discouragement will be replaced by a renewed joy as we realize the truth of Paul’s affirmation: “What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him?” (Rom. 8:31, 32).
Nowhere is our need more evident than in the temptations that confront us continually. And for this need also God has a clear answer: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13). How it helps to realize that our Lord “was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin”! He knows. He understands. He delivers.
Sorrow is a part of this life. At times it can become so overwhelming that life hardly seems worth living. But for sorrow Lord offers comfort; for mourning he gives joy. There may be sorrow for sins, which should bring repentance. There may be sorrow over personal loss or over the actions of others. But there is no sorrow that a loving Lord cannot heal.
Some suffer from a sense of inadequacy. This is a psychological matter that can be met in the presence of our Lord. Paul spoke to this problem when he said that we are not “sufficient of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our sufficiency is from God” (2 Cor. 3:5). A feeling of our own adequacy is dangerous. But when we realize the complete adequacy of our God and put our faith in him, what a difference, and what a sense of his overwhelming power!
How often we go down in defeat before the enemy of souls. Yet how wonderful that defeat can be changed into victory. The words of the old hymn, “Each victory will help you some other to win,” can prove a reality. We all are in a continuing battle, but the victory is assured if we use the resources God offers.
God’s provisions are to be found at the point of the believer’s need. There is no circumstance for which he has not provided.
Some may be eager to be “where the action is.” Christians have the privilege of being where the needs are met.
