Do Your Part, and God Will Do His

When the enemy comes against us, it is important that we know what his weapons are and what ours are! When David prepares to confront Goliath, he says to him: “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel”

(1 Sam. 17:45). David was clearly aware of every weapon his opponent possessed. At the same time, he knew exactly what he himself had to rely on and the true nature of his own armor.

As I write these lines, I am deeply involved in planning the construction of a new church building. This is one of the great tasks now before me as a pastor, perhaps the greatest challenge I have undertaken in my entire ministry. It is the most ambitious and risky project our congregation has ever undertaken in its history. I am well aware that we are building during one of the worst economic crises seen in many decades. As a pastor, leader, and administrator, I must assess exactly what this task entails. I cannot afford too many miscalculations, because I know that the financial terrain I am navigating is terribly treacherous and dangerous, and that it will not forgive even small mistakes.

In the course of planning, I have retained the services of Christian financial consultants who have given me sober and precise advice. We have developed a detailed strategy for negotiating with the banks and presenting our finances to them clearly and favorably. I have had to identify the different aspects of this process: There is the multimillion-dollar financing we need to obtain from a bank; there is the fundraising campaign that needs to raise millions of dollars from the congregation, which we have been planning for months. We have to deal with hiring a construction company suited to our needs, one capable of working within the approach we want to use. Given the grave financial situation facing the nation, and indeed the entire world, I am keenly aware of my congregation’s emotional state, and I know I must address their very legitimate concerns in a way that turns their gaze toward Almighty God, who knows neither scarcity nor economic recession, and inspires them with enough confidence to give boldly and generously.

In short, I must be extremely clearheaded and attentive to detail. Even as I operate from a position of faith, I must pay the closest attention to the details. I cannot afford to be careless or superficial in my planning.

God promises us wisdom and guidance in life’s battles. But He also wants us to develop understanding and common sense through the study of His Word. He never completely takes our place; rather, He delights in working with us and alongside us. He wants hardworking and courageous children who glorify Him through diligent and sober conduct.

God is honored when His children use the wisdom He has placed within them and wisely analyze the challenges they face each day. The power of God, joined with the understanding and effort of a man or woman steeped in the principles of His Word, will be more than enough to bring victory in any dilemma we may face.