Recognize God's Work in the World

Photo by Irmeli Aro

Scripture: Luke 10:25-29

And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?”  And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”  And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”  But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Insights: As readers of Thoughts by Scott you know my life has been highly influenced by Henry Blackaby’s material Experiencing God. And this week's first point comes straight from that material.  The point is God is at work in the world and we need to recognize His activity. Let me set the scene before we look at the verses today. At the beginning of this chapter Jesus sends out his seventy followers in order to tell people He is coming. After He and His followers meet back up there's this brief interchange of the followers talking about the authority they have in Jesus name. These followers did their job well and many people came to hear Jesus. One of those men that came was a lawyer and it is my assumption he recognized God's activity in Jesus's life. The opportunity arises for him to ask Jesus how one could have eternal life.  I realize verse twenty-five uses the word “test”, but I do not think this lawyer is antagonistic toward Jesus. Rather, I think he is a genuine seeker based on his answer he gives at this point in the story and the concluding answer he gives after the parable. It is my presupposition this man has heard Jesus’ followers proclaiming the things of Jesus and has seen the miraculous work these followers had done. As a result, when he hears Jesus’ teaching he is even more convinced Jesus has the words of eternal life. In other words, he recognizes God's activity in the world and is now making an adjustment to join his life to God's work. Beloved, we need to do the same.

Questions:

1. When was the last time you recognize God's work in the midst of your life?

2. In that moment, how did you respond to God's activity?

Prayer: Father, thank You for always working in this world. Open my eyes to be able to recognize Your activity and then grant me the courage to join You in Your work.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.