When God Speaks – Part IV – He Provides the Work
For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. – Luke 5:9-11.
When God speaks and calls someone into His service, He has something for them to do. Jesus told Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” On the day of Pentecost, Simon who became Peter preached and caught 3,000 men. That was just the beginning of what God had called Peter to do.
Jonah had a great work to do even though he did not want to do it. God spoke and called Jonah to be an evangelist to the people of Nineveh. God spoke and the work was provided. Jonah walked through the streets and countryside of Nineveh preaching, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown (Jonah 3:4c)!” The Bible records what happened, “So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them (Jonah 3:5).” The people turned from their evil and 120,000 people were saved from destruction.
We are to follow the example of our Lord who was working as His Father was working. In answer to those who criticized His healing on the Sabbath Jesus said, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working (John 5:17).” Jesus then told them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does… (John 5:19-20a).” If you know Jesus as your Savior, the Father loves you as well and He has work for you to do. When in doubt about what work to do, look to see where God is at work and join Him in that work. The apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:9a, “For we are God’s fellow workers….”
Although it took eleven additional years from when I first heard God’s call clearly, to when I began to preach the time was not wasted. God used those eleven years to develop the character and give the experience necessary for serving Him. As I sought to grow closer to Him to understand what I was to do with my life, I studied His Word, memorized His Word and meditated upon His Word. I became involved in every aspect of service in the church that I could be as a layman. I prayed and prayed searching to know His will for my life and in His time, He answered. It was at a time that He had prepared for me. God has direction for the preparation necessary for the work He has for you to do. As the apostle Paul tells Timothy, I believe the Lord would instruct all of His fellow workers, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).”
God has a great work for every believer to do. Ask God to tell you, to show you what He would have you to do to serve Him and join Him in the work. There is nothing wrong with the harvest – the Lord just needs more workers (Matthew 9:36-27).
(When God speaks calling you to His service He will provide the work.)