Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
“For we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” (v. 9).
Here is hope for the discouraged Sunday school teacher, the pastor questioning his calling, the weary and disillusioned missionary. There is encouragement and, yes, strength for the believer struggling to faithfully share his faith and live a Spirit-controlled life in the home, on the job, and in the neighborhood.
It is a glorious privilege to labor together with God while He is at work both in us and through us. We are enabled to share His truth with those we could never reach in our own efforts; using ways we could not accomplish except for Him. To work with God we must lay aside the “I’ll do this my way” attitude. There is no room for self-exaltation, promotion, or a spirit of independence, nor for putting forth minimal effort or doing less than our best. Exhaustion and frustration come quickly when we work for God rather than with Him. Paul exemplified this delicate balance in his life and ministry. Paul gave all of himself to God’s work but did not minister in his own strength or wisdom, nor put undue emphasis on his unworthiness and thorn in the flesh. Paul allowed the sovereign God to orchestrate the timing, places, means, and results of his ministry. (LeeAnn Davison, Free-lance writer, Norwood, Ohio)
God uses man; we do not work alone!
This week's featured devotional is the Wednesday, April 9, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Photo Credit: "Sunrise in Geneva" by Patrick Nouhailler used under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped.
