I have come to learn that doing something for God is not the same as working in what God is doing. Years ago, in studying Watchman Nee’s book Spiritual Authority the following quote spoke to me immensely even though I was unable to totally grasp all that it was saying.
“As man’s obedience increases, his actions decrease. When we first begin to follow the Lord we are full of activity but quite short on obedience. But as we advance in spirituality our actions gradually diminish until we are filled with obedience. Many, however, do what they like and refuse to do what they dislike. They never ponder whether or not they are acting out of obedience. Hence many works are done out of self and not in obedience to God.”
Now many years later I comprehend a bit more just what Nee meant; hence, my opening sentence. Paul penned to the Romans concerning Israel, “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2) and meaning “They had knowledge of God and so were superior to the Gentiles in privilege (Romans 2:9-11), but they sought God in an external way by rules and rites and missed him (Romans 9:30-33). They became zealous for the letter and the form instead of for God himself” (Robberson). J. Venon McGee concludes, “I know some churches, friend, where the members are as busy as termites. On Monday night they play basketball. On Tuesday night it is football. On Wednesday night it is volleyball. On Thursday night it is baseball. On Friday night they just ‘have a ball.’ They have something going on every night. They have a ‘zeal of God’—they like to do it all in the name of Jesus. But all they have is religion.”
The Holy Spirit is calling His people to pray for revival; to seek His face for the lost, the hurting, the abused, and the addicted. He is calling His people to have His heart towards a world whose heart has been hardened towards Him. That is the work He is doing right now; He is releasing an anointing to pray fervently and effectively for what He is going to do in this world. Let’s obey; and let’s pray!
PRAYER FOCUS
Be encouraged, “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation) (2 Corinthians 6:2). “The sense is, as of old there was a particular time wherein God was pleased to pour out his peculiar blessing, so there is now. And this is the particular time: this is a time of peculiar blessing” (Wesley). The blessing is obedience to Him in prayer…and He will answer your cries!
