There are so many occasions when I feel inadequate to fulfill my duties. And so many times when my best doesn’t seem like it is enough. But there is hope for me. God has made it clear. Even Paul, the Apostle, had moments when he knew that he could not do it on his own. And who was Paul? He was the best Pharisee. He was an acknowledged leader in his community. He build many churches. He was welcomed by many Christians. He met Jesus on the side of a road. He saw miracles. And he had trust in God. What was his secret?
Paul was poor in spirit. He did not depend on himself to get things done. He did not demand payment for his services, he paid his own way. He depended that God would help him fulfill his calling and that it would be better if he let God’s power work through him.
In 1 Corinthians he mentions to them how he felt inadequate. He explained that he wanted God’s message to come through. If even Paul felt inadequate then I am in good company. When I am feeling like nothing I do is right or that I can’t do enough or that my best is not good enough, then I should remember that God is enough, God does it right and God is good enough.
Only when I give way and realize my need for God can he work in my heart and the hearts of those around me. Zephaniah says that we can make our home in God. We can be content with who we are and where we are. We will not be anxious. We will live at peace.
God give me the strength to let go of my life and what I have to do today. Let me let you perform your miracles in those around me and in myself. Help me to not be anxious. Help me to live at peace and in contentment.
Matthew 5:3 God blesses those people who depend only on him. They are blessed who realize their spiritual poverty. God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him. You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. (various translations)
I Corinthians 2:3-5 I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God’s Spirit and God’s power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God’s power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else.
Zephaniah 3:10 “I’ll leave a core of people among you who are poor in spirit— What’s left of Israel that’s really Israel. They’ll make their home in God. This core holy people will not do wrong. They won’t lie, won’t use words to flatter or seduce. Content with who they are and where they are, unanxious, they’ll live at peace.”
Psalm 69:32-33 The poor in spirit see and are glad—Oh, you God-seekers, take heart! For God listens to the poor, He doesn’t walk out on the wretched.
