Act and He Will Speak
Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” and he said, “Here I am.” (Genesis 22:10–11)
This week we will witness President Trump roll back many of the policies that the Biden administration implemented over the last four years. Many of these changes will be delayed in court, their outcome uncertain perhaps for four years at which point a new administration may, in turn, reverse course again. Campaign promises, backed by powerful men and powerful institutions, are uncertain and, at best, temporary. Even when faithfully pursued, any worldly platform builds its foundation on sand. That can leave many Americans feeling pretty hopeless. Can we really build a better America with the powers of DC constantly undermining each other?
As believers, we stand on the solid foundation of Christ. Through Scripture we learn and come to rely on God’s promises, his plan, and our salvation through Christ. But even so, we sometimes find ourselves doubting God’s active role in our world. Is the Spirit truly doing work? What evidence can I see of it?
The short answer is to go to God in prayer. Prayer opens and develops our relationship with the Lord. A fuller, mature prayer life will reveal the work of the Spirit and the richness of what Christ accomplished for us. Our hope will be sated in Him. He blesses us with this open channel to approach the throne, and he speaks to us in ways that we often would never have imagined.
In addition to prayer, we have an often-overlooked method to commune with the Lord. Acts and works of faith bring him joy illustrated throughout Scripture in Abraham and the lineage of the prophets. Faith is an active response to God’s word. Often, He answers our acts of faith with the deafening volume that we so desperately want to hear. Let me provide two examples.
Over a year ago, Grace Church renovated the old kitchen in our building to become the home of our children’s ministry. At the time, the need was not great, considering that the number of children in the congregation was low. But we knew that children would need a space if they ever did arrive, and so it was built. The cost and work involved was credited to the Lord, that he would bring the children to enjoy the space… or not. I am overjoyed now to see new children each month participating in the growing ministry led by Edie. Watching its fulfillment fills me with confidence of God’s active hand in our church.
The “We build it, God may work” mentality is on display in Honduras as well. There our friends at Brazos de Jesus moved their church from the urban center of San Sula Pedro to the city outskirts where the school is located (by car easily 30 minutes away). The move was taken despite the possibility that many members would leave the church considering the new commute and safety concerns. But the Mendozas set the outcome in God’s hands knowing that moving the church would serve the children and families of the school much better. Amazingly, church membership did not suffer at all, and due to its proximity to the school, the church experienced growth, bringing the word to more children and families.
These act of faithfulness were taken with much uncertainty, yet in confidence that the Lord will answer, even if that answer is not one that we anticipated. He has spoken clearly. Our acts of faith provide bounties of love and evidence of God’s work in our life.
Engage your prayer life and bring your faith into action. God’s voice will bring a hope and certainty that all the powers of Earth will fail to equal.
Thomas Goodrich