What God Chooses to Accomplish His Will
By: Amanda Idleman
Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. - 1 Corinthians 1:27
Have you ever felt the nudge to do something, say something, or try something that felt outside your ability? As soon as the thought came into your head another did as well, discrediting your qualifications. Yet, the idea brought a quickening in your heart. The undeniable feeling this could be great./p>
These are the moments when God wants to step in to do something bigger than what we believe is possible with our seemingly unqualified lives. The amazing truth is that we are not left to ourselves in these moments! When God lays something on our heart to do or brings on a challenge for us to conquer for Him, then HE is the one who is going to be sufficient to see us through! He pushes us into uncomfortable places so that we are able to recognize His power at work.
If God only called us to what we felt capable to do, then would we even recognize God’s hand at work in our lives? When we feel like we have it all together, when things make sense in our own minds then we stop seeking God for his help. Our pride so easily steals our need for a Savior.
It is for this reason that God allows us to face obstacles that feel insurmountable at the moment. In these moments we must be faithful to take a step of faith. God will meet us and miraculously provide so that His glory can be seen in our lives. God enables his people to accomplish what He desires them to do with their lives.
God’s plan for humanity is not one that we can make sense of on our own. God came in a form that no one expected, died a criminal's death, and yet used these lowly circumstances as the tool to free humanity from the chains of sin and death.
If we are to be ones who accomplish God’s plan for our lives or even to be those who are able to accept the truth of the cross, we have to be willing to lay aside our expectation, known limitations, and step out in faith that God will meet us where we are. He uses a foolish cross to redeem our lives.
He gives us the strength we need to minister to those who need His love in our daily lives. God will carry us through dark days. He will provide for our families when we see no way forward. God is able and uses our powerlessness to show His great ability to carry us through whatever it is that He calls us to.
Pause to consider in what ways you need to invite God to show His mighty hand at work in your life? Are you only relying on what “makes sense” to you or is there an area in your life in which God is nudging you to step out in faith so He can do something great? God only gave the Israelites in the desert the manna they needed each day so they would have to learn to trust in God as their provider. How is God teaching you to trust in him as your daily provider?
Reflect on today’s verse with us. Share your thoughts in the Your Daily Bible Verse discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is encouraging others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for Your Nightly Prayer, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, Your Daily Prayer, and more. She has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com, Biblestudytools.com, and Christianity.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas, alongside her husband’s companion devotional, Shepherd. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.
Related Resource: Praying Through Psalms 60: Victory in Hopeless Ground
What do you do when the battlefield stretches in every direction, and it looks like God Himself brought the defeat?
Join Jaime on the Praying Christian Women Podcast for a devotional on Psalm 60 — a raw, honest lament born out of being surrounded on all sides, where David dares to say You did this, God — and still picks up the banner and calls Him Lord.
Jaime unpacks the historical backdrop of David fighting enemies to the north, east, and south all at once, and shares a breathtaking story from her years near Death Valley — where barren, salt-crusted flats that look permanently dead suddenly erupted into a once-in-a-century bloom of purple wildflowers. Sometimes the victory is already buried right beneath the most hopeless-looking ground, waiting for God's rain to bring it to life. If this episode helps you navigate life with prayer and intention, be sure to follow Praying Christian Women on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!