"God Plus Us"

 

“God Plus Us”

 

On an episode of the 1950’s police series “Dragnet” Sgt. Joe Friday and his partner investigated a case in which an infant had serious injuries but ended happily with the child’s recovery. In reporting this good news to the officers the physician said, “Either there’s a God or I’m a good doctor because the baby will be OK.” Friday’s reply: “I think both are true, Doc!”

I thought of this response in light of my brother Dave’s near fatal car crash this past May. After seven weeks in ICU and three more in rehab he returned home, a testimony to God’s healing power and His using people, medications, equipment and procedures in His answering the prayers of many. As I write this in mid-February he’s doing well and caring for his wife Jean as she deals with some health issues. To God be the glory!

I preached a message in two of the churches we served entitled “How God Gets His Work Done” based on the story of the tabernacle’s construction in Exodus 35. In this passage we see the Lord’s choice of Bezalel to lead the project (v.30), His equipping His servant by filling him with His Spirit (v.31), giving him extraordinary abilities (v.31-33) and enabling him to teach others the needed skills (v.34). This sequence was seen in Dave’s hospital care as God had physicians available with the needed expertise He’d put in them as well as others trained in various areas of medical practice, all orchestrated by His grace and power. Again, to Him be the glory!

God has raised up His people today and gifted them to work together to accomplish His purposes. Paul reminded a troubled church that they were “…God’s fellow workers….” (1 Corinthians 3:9) and “…to each one (was) given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7, NASB). Later his fellow apostle states, “Each one should use whatever gift (he or she) has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10). Just as there are specialists in medicine, law, business and sports there are uniquely prepared believers in the Body of Christ. In other words, we each do our part then He takes over (“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.”—1 Corinthians 3:6, emphasis added). So it’s God plus us. Consequently I must ask, Am I doing my God-given part to get His work done? Are you?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan