24-118 Divine Enablement: The Power Behind Our Obedience

In the quest to live a life that pleases God, believers often grapple with the tension between human frailty and divine expectations. Philippians 2:13 offers profound reassurance, reminding us that the call to obedience is undergirded by God's own power at work within us. It's not merely a test of human will but an invitation to cooperate with the divine force that both prompts and empowers our actions. This verse shifts our perspective from seeing obedience as a daunting task to viewing it as a participation in God's work in and through us, for His good pleasure.

Our springboard for today’s discussion is: Philippians 2:13 - "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

This scripture encapsulates a vital theological truth: obedience to God is not solely an act of human willpower but is primarily driven by God’s initiative and enabled by His power. It challenges the notion that obedience is about gritting our teeth and trying harder; instead, it's about yielding to the Holy Spirit who energizes our desires and capacitates our efforts. This divine enablement allows us to overcome the natural resistance of our flesh and aligns our deepest desires with God's will, transforming obedience from a duty into a delight.

Multiple Points of "Focus Training":

1. Daily Surrender: Begin each day by surrendering your will to God in prayer. Acknowledge your dependence on Him to energize both your desire and your ability to obey.

2. Scriptural Meditation: Regularly meditate on scriptures that emphasize God’s role in empowering obedience. This practice can help reinforce your reliance on divine strength rather than personal effort.

3. Recognize God’s Promptings: Develop sensitivity to recognize when God is moving you to action. This can often be discerned through a combination of scriptural alignment, inner conviction, and confirmation through godly counsel.

4. Act on Divine Promptings: When you discern God’s direction, act on it promptly. Remember, God’s promptings are accompanied by His power, making obedience feasible and fruitful.

5. Seek Fellowship: Engage in regular fellowship with other believers who encourage obedience and reliance on God’s power. Community support is vital in fostering an environment conducive to spiritual growth.

6. Testify to God’s Enablement: Share experiences where you’ve witnessed God’s power enabling your obedience. Testimonies can be powerful motivators for both you and others.

7. Cultivate Gratitude: Maintain a posture of gratitude for God’s enabling power. Thankfulness keeps your heart open to God’s influence and responsive to His leading.

Conclusion: Philippians 2:13 does more than reassure us; it revolutionizes our approach to spiritual obedience. By understanding that God is actively involved in cultivating our will and energizing our actions, we can embrace obedience with confidence and joy. This realization invites us to lean not on our own strength but on God’s infinite power, which promises not only to direct us but also to drive our doing.

Call to Action: This week, identify one area where you struggle with obedience, and consciously rely on God’s power for both the desire and the execution. Journal about your experiences daily, noting any changes in your attitude and actions.

Question of the Day: What area of obedience are you currently struggling with, and how can you more fully rely on God's power to overcome these challenges?

Let's Pray: Lord, thank You for working in us to will and to act according to Your good purpose. Help us to rely not on our own strength but on Your divine power that equips us for every good work. May our lives reflect Your transformative power and may our obedience bring You great pleasure. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

As we continue our journey of faith, let’s embrace the divine power that fuels our obedience, trusting that God is always at work within us, enabling us to live lives that are pleasing in His sight. Let this assurance drive us to deeper dependence and more fervent obedience as we fulfill His purposes on earth.