CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 796

“I can’t”

John 15:5 (ESV)  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

—————————————————————————————-

Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right”.

Jesus said, “I can do nothing on my own”. – John 5:30

Our thinking drives the choices we make which in turn drive the actions we take.  Conventional wisdom exhorts us to think like the ‘Little Choo-Choo that could’ and never say “I can’t”.

God’s Wisdom flies in the face of worldly wisdom in that God prefers us to say ‘I can’t’.  It is only when we have completely emptied ourselves of our trust in our own abilities and talents, money, power, position, education, intellect, diplomas, degrees and physical strength that we can then truly turn to God and acknowledge His sovereignty over our lives and circumstances.  It is at this point that the pride of our flesh is subdued and because God can we choose to step out in faith and not give up.

Notice that both wisdom approaches result in stepping out and taking positive action.  Also notice the differences: One approach glorifies self and the other brings glory to God.

What challenge has you at your wit’s end?  Are you burdened with financial debt that you cannot seem to make a dent in?  You can’t, but God can provide.

Is there a particularly difficult course of study that you just cannot understand?  You can’t, but God can give you wisdom and insight.

Are you struggling to get a grip on your business and keep it afloat in this tough economy?  You can’t, but God can prosper you.

Perhaps you are having personal or family difficulties and you feel like there is nothing you can do to control this person or situation.  You can’t, but God can change hearts.

The road to getting to “I can’t but God can” can be a long and painful one – Have you had enough? Are you ready to rest in God’s peace and to allow Him to take control of the situation and problem? Even Jesus said that by Himself He could do nothing.  How prideful and foolish we are to remain on that long road to getting to ‘I can’t but God can’.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30

If you are at the end of yourself cry out to God, get to ‘I can’t’ and then because ‘God can’ go beyond that point, step out in faith and say like Paul:

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13