Posts Tagged ‘energize’

Have you ever had a friend who was so close to trusting in Jesus and yet for some reason just couldn’t take that step? You may have shared the gospel with them numerous times, even spent hours talking about Christ and sharing both New and Old Testament passages in hopes of somehow effectively communicating the good news. Yet, they never cross that final line of belief in the gospel.

I have had that experience several times. It can be very frustrating. Some have even said they believe in the message but aren’t ready to place the full weight of their faith in it. At that point, it is hard to take comfort in knowing that our job is contact and God’s is conversion. We may feel somehow inadequate and begin questioning our method, our knowledge of scripture and ability to answer questions, wonder if we have prayed hard enough—spent enough time with them, etc.

Perhaps, we have to “cease striving” and “be still” in order to recharge our evangelism batteries. It’s not only perfectly fine to do so; it is scriptural as well.

Psalm 46:10 in the NASB translation says:

“Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

The New King James translation puts it this way:

“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”

The context is that the people were to cease from warlike activity and acknowledge the power and sovereignty of God.  He will be exalted.  The application we can make in evangelism is to realize it is not all dependant on our human effort and striving.

Sometimes, though we know there is still more work to be done, it’s OK to pause for a moment and reflect on just how awesome God is. He’s totally in control. Scripture reassures us that He will be exalted among the nations and throughout all the earth.

It is sad to think that some of our friends might not be with us when we praise Him in eternity. But remember in John 6:44 Jesus Himself said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”

There will be times when all the elements seem to be in place, and yet those we care about are just not receptive to the gospel. Our appropriate response may be to cease striving and be still.  God is always in control.  Understanding the sovereignty of God does not mean we shouldn’t evangelize, but it should be a comfort to us in evangelism.