Hand of God and Man
We have a relationship with the Lord when it comes to doing his will in our lives, Phil 2:12-13. On the one hand, God’s doing something in our lives. But on the other hand, we must work out on the outside what he’s doing on the inside. Fulfilling God’s will in our lives takes the hand of God and man.
This is why we see such differences in the men God uses to carry out his will. Men like John Newton, Count Zinzendorf, and D. L. Moody were very different in the way they ministered. But God used these men greatly.
In 1 Cor 15:10, Paul labored more abundantly than the other apostles. But it was the grace of God which was with him that allowed him to labor to that degree. In him, you see the hand of God and man working simultaneously.
Notice how the hand of God and man cooperate:
In the ministry. In Paul’s ministry, you see the hand of God and man in accomplishing his will. In 1 Tim 1:12, God enabled Paul and put him in the ministry. That was God’s hand. But Paul was faithful. That was Paul’s hand.
In Acts 20:34, Paul’s own hands ministered to his necessities. Yet in 2 Cor 11:9 the Lord also provided, Phil 4:15. Today we have men who won’t minister until the Lord gives them everything they need before they even start. In truth, many men who are pastoring today are bi-vocational pastors. At least, this is how they must start out.
In the yoke, Matt 11:28-29. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you”. It’s the Lord’s yoke, but you and I must wear it. We get yoked up together with Jesus and his Father calls the commands. We rest in our labor as we work in the strength of the Lord. You can’t do his work alone. And God won’t do this work alone.
In the gospel, Acts 11:19-21. After the stoning of Stephen, the disciples were scattered abroad. But rather than hide to avoid persecution, they were “preaching the Lord Jesus”. And “the hand of the Lord was with them”. Clearly, we can see the hand of God and man in cooperation to get the gospel out.
Likewise, we can trust the Lord to help us when we tell others about him. He doesn’t leave us to do this work alone, neither will he do it without us.
In the course, 2 Tim 4:7. Paul said, “I have finished my course.” It was Paul’s course, but it was a course that the Lord laid out for him, Acts 20:24, 9:15-16. Paul didn’t stop until he had finished his course.
Likewise, the Lord has a plan for our lives. That’s God’s hand. And yet, we are the ones who must run our race, 1 Cor 9:24-26, and finish our course. That’s our hand.
Conclusion: as you consider what it is the Lord would have you to do, remember that he expects you to minister, work in his yoke, preach the gospel, and finish your course. Don’t wait around here for the Lord to do it all for you. He won’t.