Text: 2 Chronicles 32:1-8
We sometimes hear the phrase: “God helps those who help themselves.” This phrase is not in the Bible, but there is a sense in which the principle exists. In order to take advantage of what God offers us, we must do what we are able to do.
Example: Hezekiah’s Defense of Jerusalem against the Assyrians
- What did he do? – cut off their water supply, rebuilt the wall, made weapons and shields, appointed officers, encouraged the people (2 Chronicles 32:1-6)
- Why? Did he not trust in God? – he did (2 Chronicles 32:7-8); but he needed to do what he could do
- The same is true for us today – we’ll notice a few examples
Providing Food
- Jesus told us to pray for our daily bread (Matthew 6:11) – does this mean we just pray and wait for God to miraculously provide food? … no
- We have a responsibility to work (2 Thessalonians 3:7-10)
- We must also be good stewards of what we have been blessed with (Luke 15:11-16) – when money is limited, we need the right priorities (1 Timothy 6:8)
- Help those who cannot work (Ephesians 4:28; Galatians 6:10) – this is part of God’s providence
Gaining Wisdom
- We are told to pray for wisdom (James 1:5) – we can be confident (and should be) that we will receive it (James 1:6-8); but how?
- Remember that wisdom is the application of knowledge – so how do we gain knowledge?
- First, acquire knowledge – this was Paul’s prayer (Colossians 1:9); this does not happen miraculously, but through study (2 Timothy 2:15; Ephesians 3:4)
- Second, apply knowledge – we must put it into practice (Hebrews 5:14; James 1:22)
Growing in Strength
- Paul said he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him (Philippians 4:13) – he prayed that other Christians would be strengthened as well (Colossians 1:9, 11); as with everything else, we have a responsibility to be strengthened through Christ
- We must take advantage of those things that can strengthen us – all have been given by God
- The word of God (Acts 20:32; 1 Timothy 4:6; Matthew 4:4)
- The example of Christ (Hebrews 12:1-3; 1 Peter 2:21-24)
- The encouragement of brethren (Hebrews 3:12-13; 10:24-25)
Obtaining Forgiveness
- God is willing to forgive us – but this forgiveness is conditional (2 Peter 3:9); forgiveness is impossible without God’s grace (Ephesians 2:4-5), but we still have a responsibility
- Forgiveness for the non-Christian – plan of salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 22:16)
- Forgiveness for the Christian – repent and pray (Acts 8:18-23; 1 John 1:9)
Conclusion
- Everything good is from God (James 1:17) – but we are responsible to do what we can to take advantage of His blessings
- There are two extremes we need to avoid
- Do not think that God does everything and you do nothing
- Do not think that you do everything with no help from God
- Acknowledge your need for what the Lord provides and work hard to obtain what He offers
