He Is Able

“For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could 

swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself”

—Hebrews 6:13—

Trust is difficult to obtain and keep. It’s like a treasure that we find and try to protect from corruption. Everyone has, at varying degrees, issues with trusting someone because once we lose that trust, it may take a lifetime to renew. Furthermore, we too often evaluate trusting God the way we would fallible people.

Men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:16–19).

The apostle Paul put it this way: “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12). Read 2 Corinthians 11:16–33 and consider everything Paul endured as an apostle. And through it all, he trusted the One who does not change (James 1:16–17; Hebrews 13:8–9).

God's Longsuffering and Our Diligence

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected;

but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which

Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

—Philppians 3:12—

Numbers 32 shows us that the tribes of Reuben and Gad were satisfied with not crossing the Jordan into the promised land. The essence of their attitude is revealed in verse 5 when they say, “Do not take us over the Jordan.” Moses’ reply sounds visceral—“Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here?”

In our own assessment of things, it may not seem to be so bad that Reuben and Gad wanted to remain on the east of Jordan. Their argument is that they have a lot of livestock and the land they were already occupying, with the rest of Israel, was good for livestock (vv. 1–5). But, again, Moses sees their disposition as discouraging to the rest of Israel as they were poised to displace the Canaanites and possess the land as God was giving it to them (Num. 15:2; Deut. 7:1–2). And this, to me, seems to be the issue: God had promised Israel, including the tribes of Reuben and Gad, a possession in Canaan; and here they were saying that they’d rather have something else. They were happy with the shortcut.

As the rest of this plays out, the armies of Reuben and Gad pledge that they will help their brethren in the upcoming battles against the Canaanites. Moses sternly warns them, “But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23).

One of the clear lessons we can take away from this is about God’s longsuffering. Here He wanted to bring them all into the promised land, a land “flowing with milk and honey” (Lev. 20:24). They were satisfied with the shortcut.

God has promised us a dwelling place in His house (cf. John 14:2–3; Heb. 11:13–16; Php. 3:20–21). And although we don’t know exactly what all this entails, or how we will experience it in its fulfillment, we know Him and therefore trust that He will do what He’s promised (cf. Heb. 6:13–20).

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2–3).

We need spiritual stamina. We don’t know how long this journey in life under the sun is going to be; we don’t know when the Lord will come again or when we will pass from this life, but we can be prepared (cf. 1 Pet. 1:6–9).

Preparation involves diligence. “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:10–11).

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Heb. 6:11–12).

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith (2 Pet. 1:5).

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:10–11).

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation (2 Pet. 3:13–15).

Never give up! Be patient and trust in the Lord completely (James 5:7–12; Heb. 11:6). “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

Problem Finders and Solution Seekers

Anyone can find a problem. The world, and more specifically the Lord’s body here and everywhere else, could benefit tremendously from having fewer who find problems and offer nothing more. We all could profit from those who seek solutions.

Years ago I preached a sermon that I’m sure was designed by me to point out a problem the congregation was having. In my mind’s eye I see myself getting a worked up and all “preachery.” Afterward, one dear sister said the lesson was needed, but then she asked, “What can we do to fix this?” Her question has stayed with me through the years because I know deep down that I am one who can triumphantly find problems while offering little to nothing in solving them.

It’s difficult sometimes to find a solution to a problem. Here’s one: rather than complaining about attendance, say something to someone who is not making it a priority, and saying that needed thing in love —“speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love” (Eph. 4:15–16; also see Col. 4:6).

When it comes to attendance to Bible studies and worship, it is honestly discouraging (at worst) and disappointing (at the least) for brothers and sisters to willingly not show up.

A solution to this problem? “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). “If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed” (1 Cor. 16:22).

The truth is, there’s a heart problem with some, and one of the ways it shows is by a lack of attending as we should. Not attending shows it’s not a priority with you, and that there are times when you come before the Lord and your brethren (suffering from “I” trouble). Don’t go looking for exceptions, because you know better. Yes, there are exceptions, but too many are wanting the exception to somehow serve as the rule. “Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17).

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries (Heb. 10:23–27).

When the Lord addressed the saints in Ephesus he charged them with abandoning the love they had at first, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent (Rev. 2:4–5).

We desperately need godly grief (2 Cor. 7:9–11). And godly grief, which leads to repentance, begins with a humbled heart —“But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word” (Isa. 66:2; also see Matt. 5:3–4; Php. 2:12–13).

Again, finding problems is easy; anyone can do it. But being willing, open, and eager to find and implement a solution is tougher. It begins with an acknowledgement that something needs to change (cf. James 3:13–18), and then doing what we know we should. “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).