SOMETIMES, THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO BECAUSE EITHER PEOPLE WILL NOT RESPOND, OR BECAUSE GOD HAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED A PATH OF ACTION HE WILL CARRY OUT.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WHEN IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ?
I received a phone call one day from a daughter of a 98 year old woman. She asked for prayer for her mother. She said that he mother had been in good health, but suddenly had a serious stroke, and she wanted me to pray that her mother would be completely healed.
In another case, there was a tragic accident ON I-95 near the Georgia/Florida line. Cars were backed up for long stretch. Bodies were thrown from the vehicles, and lying in the roadway. People were gathered around already, and others pulled to the side, and were running toward the accident. We did not see it happen, but knew we could no longer get even close to it to help. What can you do ? Sometimes, you feel helpless.
1. SOMETIMES, PRAYER IS THE ONLY DEED WE NEED TO DO.
A. SOMETIMES WE MUST CONTINUE TILL GOD TELLS US TO STOP.
SAMUEL.
1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
B. SOMETIMES GOD SAYS NOT TO PRAY.
JEREMIAH.
Jeremiah 7:16 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.
2. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT CERTAIN THINGS WILL HAPPEN.
A. IF THE LORD DOESN’T SPEAK TO YOU OTHERWISE, ACCEPT THAT SOME THINGS ARE INEVITABLE.
BE AT PEACE WITH YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content .
ACCEPT THE DECISIONS OF OTHERS. GOD DOES. NOAH HAD FAMILY, AS DID ALL HIS FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ENTERED THE ARK. HE SPOKE TO THEM. THEY DID NOT RESPOND IN FAITH. HE COULD NOT CHANGE THAT. HE HAD TO FOCUS ON WHAT GOD WANTED HIM TO DO, AND ACCEPT THE DECISIONS OF OTHERS.
B. SOMETIMES, PATIENCE IS THE KEY.
ACCEPT THAT CERTAIN THINGS WILL HAPPEN AND FOCUS ON WHAT YOU ACTUALLY HAVE.
1 Peter 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
YOU CAN HAVE A GOOD CONSCIENCE. YOU CAN REST IN PEACE. YOU CAN BE ASSURED THAT YOU TIME TO MEET THE LORD WILL BE A JOYOUS ONE, NOT A PAINFUL ONE.
3. SOMETIMES, YOU MUST RESOLVE TO ALLOW GOD TO DO WHAT HE WANTS TO DO.
A. POSITIVE. HEALING, ETC.
SOMETIMES GOD ALLOWS TRAGEDY ION PEOPLE’S LIVES TO WAKE THEM UP. IF WE PRAY AGAINST THE WORK GOD IS DOING, HE MAY RESPOND TO OUR PRAYERS, AND THEY WILL DIE IN THEIR SINS.
Jeremiah 11:14 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.
WE NEED TO HAVE THEM REACHED BEFORE THIS TIME, AND GOD KNOWS HOW TO DO THAT BEST.
B. NEGATIVE.
WAITING GOD TO CORRECT A PERSON. WILL THE CHURCH TURN BACK TO THE LORD IN THE LAST DAYS ? SOME WILL, BUT THEY NEED THE MOTIVATION OF KNOWING THAT GOD IS JUDGING, AND IT IS TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT NOW.
1 Samuel 8:18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.
C. SOMETIMES PEOPLE JUMP INTO ACTIONS WITHOUT CONSULTING THE LORD.
Luke 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
4. SOMETIMES GOD WANTS US TO TAKE SPECIFIC ACTIONS.
2 Kings 4:2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.
Exodus 17:4-5 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.
***HE WILL ALWAYS GIVE INSTRUCTION IF HE WANTS US TO GO INTO ACTION. PAUL WAS IN A STATE OF USELESSNESS AND CONFUSION. GOD HAD A PLAN. HE NEEDED TO LEARN HOW TO WAIT ON INSTRUCTIONS FIRST.
Acts 22:10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.