“Do Something!”

"Do Something!"     

 

   

    Concern for loved ones often leads us - rightly - to act on their behalf.

    "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (I John 3:17).

    If we can help, we help, always seeking to be led not only by God's lovingkindness, but also His wisdom.  Sometimes, however, we can find no way to come to the aid of people, particularly regarding their hearts.  Few things make us feel more helpless, but in actuality, few challenges of life provide more opportunity to administer necessary grace.  Or rather, few challenges provide our Lord more opportunity to administer His grace.  "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation" (II Corinthians 1:3-4).  We play a role in the matter by approaching the throne of grace on behalf of hurting loved ones, realizing that the pain we feel for them beckons us to more than mere sympathy.  We must rather do something, and the something we perform when our hands seem empty of aid may well be our greatest opportunity for ministry.  Indeed, when the only help we can seemingly provides involves the seeking of God's help, how much He must be ready to perform as we prayerfully bring the hearts of our loved ones to the God of their hearts.

   You've likely heard about the man talking to a friend about a particularly challenging problem.  "Oh, I've done this and I've done that!" he said, mournfully.  "I've even done this and that!  But finally, I've realized I can do nothing but pray about it!"  The man's friend looked at him with much concern, shook his head, and responded, "Oh, has it come to that???!!!"  Sometimes in life, it does come to that.  And sometimes, the matter involves not ourselves, but those who are dear to us.  Sometimes it seems that all we can do is pray, particularly regarding matters of the heart.  Rather than view such occasions in terms of frustration, perhaps we should realize the opportunity that lies at hand, and in heart.  Again, if we can do nothing but pray, our Heavenly Father must be more than ready to answer our prayers  He alone knows the needs of our loved ones, and He alone knows how to apply necessary illumination, encouragement, and challenge.  Yes, we must do something when it seems we can do nothing.  We must pray, and we must be confident that the God of our hearts will heed our call.

"Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts."

(II Thessalonians 2:16-17)

Weekly Memory Verse 

    For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

(John 1:17).