6 Minute Read

TODAY’S BIBLE READING:

1 Samuel 1:1–2:21
John 5:1-23
Psalm 105:37-45
Proverbs 14:28-29

TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):

John 5:19-20 (CSB): “Jesus replied, ‘Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing, and he will show him greater works than these so that you will be amazed.'”

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):

A book that I hope will remain a classic for ages to come is called, “Experiencing God.” In it, Henry Blackaby reveals that God has called us into a relationship with Him. In that relationship, God doesn’t want us to be busy doing things for Him but, instead, to see what He is doing and to join Him.

“Jesus, realizing that His role was that of a servant, never sought to initiate activity for the Father (Matt. 20:28). The servant never sets the agenda—the master does. The servant must be so alert to what the master is doing that whenever the master begins to move in a direction, the servant quickly joins him. Even the Son of God did not assume He knew the best thing to do in a situation. Instead, He looked to see the Father’s activity and then joined Him. Jesus knew His Father so well that He was keenly sensitive to divine activity around Him, immediately recognizing His Father at work.” – Blackaby, Richard. Experiencing God Day By Day (p. 135).

This is what we read in our Verses for Today. Jesus revealed that He didn’t come into our experience to do His own will but the will of Him (God the Father) who sent Him (God the Son).

John 5:19-20 (CSB): “Jesus replied, ‘Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing, and he will show him greater works than these so that you will be amazed.'”

It is absolutely true that the ultimate and primary reason Jesus came to earth was to make the sin payment for every single person who will trust in Him. But, there are tons of secondary reasons He came. One of them is so that we can look at how He lived His life and follow His example.

Philippians 2:5 (CSB): “Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,”

1 Corinthians 11:1 (CSB): “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.”

So, as we look to Jesus and understand how we are to live, we understand that we are to observe what is taking place around us in order to see God’s work so that we can join the Father in that work.

How do we do this? How do we know what God is doing around us? Let me provide a few points to ponder:

Get into your Bible so that your Bible gets into you

As you read Scripture, you will see how God has previously involved Himself in people’s lives.

Since He doesn’t change, you will be able to detect whether a current activity is something Has done or would do in light of what He has done in Scripture.

Pray

Prayer is simply communicating with God. It develops our relationship with Him. As you listen to Him (Bible reading) and as you speak to Him (pray), you will be brought into a deeper relationship with Him.

In John 5:20, Jesus said: “For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing…” It was because of the love relationship that the Father had with the Son that caused God to reveal what He was doing.

So, enter into that love relationship by listening to Him (Bible reading) and speaking with Him (prayer).

Submission

Jesus revealed that submission to God’s will, essentially desiring to obey it before we even know what it is, will free us up to know whether or not God is involved in what we are hearing or seeing.

John 7:17 (CSB): “If anyone wants to do his will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own.”

So, if you want to know what God is doing, your answer needs to be “Yes” before you even know what it is. Submit to His will by agreeing to obey and participate before you know what it will require of you.

Conclusion

Of course, the Bible outlines other ways in which we can determine what God is up to around us. But, I have listed the three biggies.

If you don’t already do this, why not look for what God is doing around you today. If you do, “keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times” because life is going to become an adventure!

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