GOD IS OUR ENABLER

There are many people in the world today who are either confined in the prisons of various addictions, continually falling into harmful situations or enslaved in a cycle of destructive behavior.   And there are just as many people, many well-meaning people, who, though supportive of these pitiful individuals, their actions towards them do not emancipate but in reality tend to captivate.   As you probably have heard, these people are referred to as  “enablers.”    But that term is actually a misnomer, or an inappropriate designation.   A better description would probably be  “disabler”  because those same actions are the very ones that are likely to cripple the one who they are supposed to be helping by facilitating that which keeps them incarcerated.   And though some mean-spirited people are happy to see these souls struggle in their personal pits of pain, there are some who genuinely want to help, but their love and compassion is misplaced and all they end up doing is encouraging the wayward conduct by unwittingly providing a means for the pain to continue.  

But then there are those who will not allow you to excuse yourself for bad behavior or assist you in continuing with the same.   Notable heroes of faith like Nathan the prophet didn’t enable David in his adulterous actions after his foolish indiscretion with Bathsheba which resulted in a man being killed and a baby dying.   Mordecai the Jew didn’t enable his cousin Esther in her self-pity as she hesitated at the thought of saving her people from destruction because of her fear of the king.    The Apostle Paul didn’t enable his friend Peter in his hypocrisy when he tried to mislead visiting Jews into thinking he wasn’t associating with Gentiles when he actually was, influencing others, including Barnabas, to join him in his campaign of deception.

But interestingly enough, we don’t need another person to assist us with the burdens of our bondage as we are very skilled in depressing ourselves, demeaning ourselves and debilitating ourselves.   When confronted with danger, difficulty or even desire we sometimes become professional victims and adopt the “woe is me” mentality which is a guaranteed strategy for failure.    We are destroying ourselves by engaging in the perpetual practice of defeatism before we even get started.   You see,   “Death and life are in the power of the tongue:  and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”   (Proverbs 18: 21)      And God’s Word exposes us for who we truly are.   “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...”   (Proverbs 23: 7)      Our thoughts and attitudes become self-fulfilling prophecies.    So, if we keep thinking and saying we are worthless, then we are.   If we keep thinking and saying we are incapable, then we are.   If we keep thinking and saying we’ll never do better, then we won’t.    

When Moses sent 12 commandos to spy out the land of Canaan for 40 days, they came back and reported that giants lived in the land and they couldn’t overcome them.   But by faith Joshua said,  “Yes we can!”   And they did.    When a young David was preparing to go to battle and slay the Philistine warrior Goliath, the Israelite soldiers told him he couldn’t.   But by faith young David said He could.   And he did.    When the Lord told His disciples to feed four thousand hungry people in the desert with very little rations, they said there wasn’t enough food to go around therefore they couldn’t do it.   But Jesus Who is the author and finisher of our faith said,  “Yes you can!”  And they did.

We are so prone to become cynical about everything, even about the very things that God has provided for us that should bring gratification and appreciation into our lives.  Listen to Solomon’s complaint:  “Therefore I hated life;  because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me:  for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.   Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me…Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.”   (Proverbs 2: 17, 18 & 20)    This is the same man who wrote that the enjoyment of the good of one’s labor is a gift of God.    “I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.   He hath made every thing beautiful in His time:  also He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.   I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.   And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.   I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever:  nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it:  and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him.”    (Ecclesiastes 3: 10-14)

As for us, don’t be discouraged about the difficulties of this life, but learn to be thankful, grateful, appreciative, positive, joyful and content about all of the marvelous things that the Lord has done for us while we are walking around above ground on this planet.   Ask Him to help you not to focus on your life that you hate in this world, but to be fully immersed in the life that you love in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.    “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth…let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.  Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;  teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”   (Colossians 3: 2, 15-17)

But always be sober and vigilant, understanding that there is a cold, cruel and calculating creature out there who is always at work trying to fan the flames of feelings of fear within us, who seeks to stun us with sensations of self-doubt and has plans to halt our progress by paralyzing us in positions of psychological perplexity.   This criminal is committed to creating confusion and carnage that is designed to crush our confidence by dispatching demons to demoralize and discourage us in our attempts to serve God.    And who is this scoundrel that is perpetuating this mayhem and madness in our lives? Scripture asks the same question:   “Ye did run well;  who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?”   (Galatians 5: 7)     That’s an easy one.   But let me tell you Who it ain’t.      “This persuasion cometh not of Him that calleth you.”  (Galatians 5: 8)

We are Children of the Most High God, Members of the Body of Christ, Servants of the Creator of the Universe and Disciples of the Magnificent and Majestic Master and Messiah of Mercy.   We don’t operate on our own, by ourselves, in ourselves or for ourselves, therefore we should not allow ourselves to be manipulated by anybody or anything else, including ourselves.   We should willingly choose to praise, worship, obey, glorify, submit to and sacrifice our lives to the Lord with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength.   And when you give up all of something, that means there is nothing left for anyone or anything else.  We are new creatures in Christ, born-again believers who are inspired, edified, motivated, influenced, encouraged and empowered only by God though His Son, Jesus Christ.   And with that empowerment we can shout out with the voice of triumph these wonderful words:   “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”   (Philippians 4: 13)

Therefore, we have to come out of the feelings of inadequacy that we detect in our weak flesh because His grace is sufficient for all of our needs.   The enemy wants to overrun and overwhelm you but God has equipped you with the power to  “guard your heart”  and not be deceived into thinking that the borders to your spirit are wide open and there is nothing you can do about it.   You have the ability through Christ to avoid succumbing to a condition chronicled in one of the books of wisdom literature which says,   “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”   (Proverbs 25: 28)

And though there are, and always will be  “disablers”  out there, we must rely on, trust in and crave the anointing given by the One Who is the true Enabler.   The One Who has showered us with abilities beyond our wildest imagination.   The One Who changes situations and conditions that no one can explain.   The One who bestows blessings of favor and puts us in positions of success and victory, leaving the world to wonder,  “How did that happen?”    He has not raised us up to be kings and priests so that we would be applauded, but has filled us with His Spirit so that we can worship Him in spirit and in truth, joining in with all heaven and earth who adore Him, outshout the rocks who are itching to put our praise to shame and magnify His Holy Name declaring that unto Him be all praise and honor and glory and power and dominion both now and forever.

Throughout scripture God has poured out a divine anointing that turns ordinary people into supernatural pillars of power.    He took those who were unable and gave them what they needed to be able.   Moses, the meekest man on the planet  (see Numbers 12: 3), was a great example.   In Numbers 11: 14-15, Moses was frustrated and distraught because he had too many stubborn people to deal with.   He told God,  “I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.   And if Thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray Thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in Thy sight;  and let me not see my wretchedness.”    But God snapped him out of his delusion and gave him what he needed to get back to work.   “And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.   And I will come down and talk with thee there:  and I will take of the Spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them;  and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.”  (Numbers 11: 16 & 17)

In another instance,  Moses considered himself unworthy, hesitating to confront Pharaoh and lead God’s people out of bondage.   “And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?”   (Exodus 3: 11)    But the Lord let him know that though he indeed was unworthy, it was God Himself Who was at the helm therefore that battle was already won.    “And He said, Certainly I will be with thee;  and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee:  When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.”    (Exodus 3: 12) 

And when Moses was afraid to speak to the people about God’s plan of salvation and feeling self-conscious about a speech impediment, he said to God in a manner devoid of any confidence,  “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto Thy servant:  but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.”   (Exodus 4: 10)       And the Lord chastised him again because in essence he was basically being critical of God for creating, calling and choosing him for this tremendous honor.    “And the LORD said unto him,  Who hath made man's mouth?   or Who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind?   have not I the LORD?   Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.”   (Exodus 4: 11-12)

As for you, Servants of the Most High God, be encouraged and go fulfill the destiny that God has set forth for your life.   Don’t be distracted or derailed by anyone or anything that might hinder your purpose or progress.   Our mission while we are awaiting His coming Kingdom, is not only to be about God’s business, but to love the labor we have been called to.   And with our sincere and best effort in that labor, God is well pleased.   “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His Name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”   (Hebrews 6: 10)

So be steadfast, unmovable and always abounding int the work of the Lord.  Stay firmly planted and grounded on that Rock which is Christ and lay hold onto eternal life.  Suit up for warfare and fight the good fight of faith.   And after you’ve done all you can do in that fight, keep fighting and be as the Revolutionary War naval officer John Paul Jones whose ship was severely damaged in a fierce battle at sea but he kept fighting anyway.   When all looked lost, the opposing ship’s captain asked for his surrender to which he replied,   "I have not yet begun to fight!"   God miraculously enabled him and his ship to survive what looked like an obvious defeat, and to rise and raise the flag of victory as he ultimately won the battle and forced the surrender of his enemies.

In like manner, there will be many grueling challenges coming your way during your time here on earth.   Challenges that will look like defeat is inevitable as adversaries will plan your demise, attack your territory, attempt to cut off your supplies, deploy forces to outflank and surround you.    Be we can be like Elisha who, when he and his servant were surrounded by the Syrian army, he told his servant to  “Fear not:  for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”   (2 Kings 6: 16)      Elisha prayed saying,  “LORD, I pray Thee, open his eyes, that he may see.   And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man;  and he saw:  and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”   (2 Kings 6: 17)      So open your spiritual eyes and see that your enemies don’t have you surrounded, but that the Lord has your enemies surrounded.

When that enemy attacks you, point directly at him and say,  “I have not yet begun to fight”  for your Commander-in-Chief, the Lord Jesus Christ has directed you to  “…be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.   Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.   Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;   And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;   Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.   And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints…”   (Ephesians 6: 10-18)

Remember that He is the Potter and you are the clay.   He is the Creator and you are the creation.   You have been made in the likeness of God, so stop disparaging what the Lord has fashioned in you.    Rise up and come to the place of full functionality and productivity in Christ through the power and grace of God.   You are who God says you are and who He has created you to be and He is worthy to be magnified for His creative genius and His mercy which endures forever.    So praise Him for what He has done in you, for you and through you.   “I will praise thee;  for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:  marvellous are Thy works;  and that my soul knoweth right well.”   (Psalm 139: 14)     

And remember that, without a doubt, He harbors eternal love for you.   “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God!  how great is the sum of them!”   (Psalm 139: 17)    You were created and brought into existence to be a bold and beautiful testimony of His power and glory  not needing anything or anyone other than Him to prop you up and to support you.   Be determined to  “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;  and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”   (Proverbs 3: 5)     The devil is a defeated foe and knows that the Lord has already made you victorious over him and, just like Jesus did with His disciples, He has given you power over all of your adversaries.   “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:  and He shall thrust out the enemy from before thee;  and shall say, Destroy them.”   (Deuteronomy 33: 27)

So when you are faced with grief at the loss of a loved one, confronted with fear and anxiety over a looming decision that will affect your life, depressed about a continuing problem that just won’t seem to go away or frustrated over a situation that didn’t work out to your satisfaction, just remember that God is with you and God is empowering you.    There is strength, comfort, peace and even joy available to you at a moment’s notice to help you through your seasons of physical discomfort or spiritual vexation.

Be encouraged.  Be uplifted.   Be enlarged and be elevated.   You can do it because God has given you the wonderful gift of capability.   “For by Thee I have run through a troop;  and by My God have I leaped over a wall.”   (Psalm 18: 29)    You have been given the gift of absolute ability because you are loved with an everlasting love.    And you have been made able because it is God Himself Who is your Enabler!    He is not “enabling” you to continue in the failures of your flesh, but he is inspiring and empowering you to bust out your prison of fear, frustration and fits of carnality.  

Now go, beloved ones, and conquer the world in Jesus' name.   “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:   because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”   (1 John 4: 4)