Years ago my church worked through Experiencing God by Henry & Richard Blackaby and Claude King. We used it in our home fellowship groups, taught on it in Sunday School and from the pulpit, and encouraged people to do the workbook on their own. Through all that investment into this book, the one idea that keeps coming back to me the most is: “Watch to see where God is working and join Him.”
Biblical Basis for Joining God Where He is Working
Blackaby and King used John 5:17, 19-20 as the Scriptural basis for this concept. The idea is that because God is always working, we just have to discern where and join Him.
In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” (Jn. 5:17)
Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.” (Jn. 5:19-20)
Personal Reflections on John 5:17, 19-20
In reflecting on these verses, I come to the following conclusions:
- Sometimes joining God where He’s working may mean flying in the face of tradition. But, it will never contradict the character and ways of God as described in His Word.
It’s important to understand why Jesus spoke these words. He said them “in His defense” of having healed an invalid on the Sabbath. The Jewish leaders claimed Jesus violated the law. But, it wasn’t “the” law He violated, it was “their” law.
- Joining God requires getting ourselves out of the way. Personal agendas and human efforts will not be the way to get there. They will just cloud our vision from seeing where God is working.
Even Jesus didn’t follow His own agenda but rather aligned with the Father. If the Son could “do nothing by himself”, how could we ever possibly make true ministry happen on our own?
Personal Example of Seeing Where God Was Working and Joining Him
In a much earlier post I wrote about how God used a 40 Day Challenge I developed to help a friend. I continued to see or learn of God working through that tool in the lives of many more people. I asked God what more He wanted me to do as it was obvious this was one of those situations where God was at work. The result of praying about it? — Foundational Pillars of Truth for Maintaining a Healthy Perspective Discussion Guide to be used in conjunction with the 40 Day Challenge, a tool God has used to help many.
Since God is always working in and through our individual lives, ministries, churches, and in the world, we’ll always have some way we can join Him to accomplish His purposes and mission. Do we have the spiritual eyes to see and the yielded heart to follow?
Thanks. i am joining the course “Experiencing God (knowing and doing the will of God) in Chinese in Sarawak, Malaysia. it’s great. Praise God
May God use it in your life and enable you to see where He is working. May He give you courage to join Him wherever that may take you.