10/23/21 by Larry Barker
There is so much to do in the ministry. The list can be staggering and quite overwhelming. Yet, in John 6:28 Jesus was asked, “What can we do to perform the works of God?” In verse 29 Jesus answered, “This is the work of God – that you believe in the One He has sent.” Think of all the works Jesus could have listed such as prayer, acts of mercy, giving, Bible study, visiting the sick, and a multitude of others. Yet, He challenges them to consider one work, believe. He challenges them to trust God continually in an ongoing, moment by moment, day by day kind of way and not just a one and done type of believing.
In the book of John alone Jesus issues an invitation to believe over 95 times. Do you really believe that you can trust Jesus in your current season and situation? In a world of stress and anxiety are you daily learning to rest and relax in Christ with the confidence and deep sense that He is in control? When you have done all you can do, it is all you can do and there is nothing else to do but rest and relax in Jesus. Jesus functioned daily by following His Father’s strategy. He began His day alone with Him and everything He did was initiated by the Father. Jesus said clearly, “I must do the works of Him who sent Me.”
Jesus was not driven by popularity, success, or being seen as the greatest teacher of all time. He was driven to trust the Father, obey the Father, and complete the tasks His Father had sent Him to accomplish. Jesus embraced suffering and failure. Jesus was content with His Father being in charge of the mission He had sent Him to fulfill. He modeled for us steady contentment in doing God’s will, God’s way, according to God’s timetable. Jesus believed (He knew) the Father could be trusted. Adrian Rogers said, “It is one thing to have faith to escape, another thing to have faith to endure.”
Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 to put on the armor of God. Three of those elements are to always remain on because of the spiritual warfare we engage in every single day. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the sandals of the gospel of peace. These are the essential constants in our lives. When Roman soldiers were engaged in battle, they never took these off, not even during rest periods or lulls in the battle. These three parts of the armor are the foundation for our readiness when the enemy attacks. When we live with this perspective and spiritual attitude we are “Strong in the Lord and the power of His might.”
When the battle intensifies and the fiery arrows of the enemy increase, we are told to “take up” the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. There is a sense of immediacy and seriousness associated with “taking up” arms when the battle is raging and the conflict is furious. As you step into the heat of the battle you pick up your shield of faith to protect your heart and mind in the area of trusting God and believing that He has a plan for His glory and for your good. The shield of faith here was the size of a small door and a soldier could kneel behind it for protection. Strengthening your faith begins on your knees.
In Mark 9:24 after Jesus declared that all things are possible to those who believe, the father of a demon-possessed son says, “I do believe! Help my unbelief.” This is how faith operates when the enemy fires doubt and unanswerable questions into our minds. Our faith, believing, is what quenches those demonic suggestions and lies. The shield of faith is especially important in these days where truth and absolutes grow progressively dimmer and dimmer. Believing and trusting God is not getting everything you want but accepting from God what you get. Jesus prayed, “Not my will but thine be done” and died the next day on a cross.
The enemy attacks by saying, “Your church ought to be bigger and what are all the other preachers going to think?” Faith says, “One person plants, one person waters, but it is God who gives the increase. I will trust God to bless my faithfulness as He sees fit.” The enemy attacks by saying, “Nobody even knows what you are doing or that your ministry even exists. No one ever mentions or recognizes you.” Faith says, “I will trust God to reward me as He sees fit. It is far more important what He thinks.” The enemy says, “You need to retaliate. You need to get even with the person who hurt you.” Faith says, “I will trust the Lord to retaliate on my behalf.”
Faith trusts God for everything, in every situation, and in every circumstance. You say, “Easier said than done.” Faith says, “Lord I believe! Help me overcome my unbelief.” The stronger your faith becomes, as it grows and expands, the more you will be able to trust God to deal with your challenges and obstacles His way and according to His timing. Trust Him to deliver you, defend you, vindicate you, provide for you, and in the end, reward you for your faithfulness. Remember, “All things are possible with God.” There is hope, there is a reason to believe and have faith. Relax in Jesus, you can trust Him!