The traditional answer is, “nothing.” I want to suggest that the correct answer is “everything.” Collaborating with the Father in the Kingdom means that we do our part and God does His. He really is a miraculous participant in our lives. He really does intervene, answer prayer, and make a way when there doesn’t seem to be one. We really can get a prophetic sense of His promises and direction. We have all been given glimpses of revelation of the future that God has for us. Listen to Habakkuk.
Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. 3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Hab 2:2-3 NIV
Write the revelation – There is something about writing down the things that God shows us that is very powerful in terms of igniting our faith. “No written plan” really translates to “no future.” If we’re planning to do nothing, that’s exactly what we’ll do. People who capture the revelation in writing and turn it into a plan really do see their dreams come true. Whether our season is abundance or lack, we all need a plan for the future, and our job is to execute that plan – not just wait for God to do it all.
Don’t complain – We can choose to focus on the positive or the negative. We need to be aware of and respond to both. Listen to Habakkuk:
How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? 3 Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Hab 1:2-3 NIV
This is how Habakkuk really feels, but it doesn’t reflect reality. In fact, this is really a list of false accusations that the enemy would like us to believe.
See what God is doing – We live in a hour of scandals from Fast and Furious, Benghazi, spying on the press, secret surveillance of citizen phone records, email and Face Book, IRS targeting party opposition… the top 20 are listed here. You can view these as subplots in a larger conspiracy (and be correct) or as God shining His light on the darkness (and be even more correct). The fact is that there really is an organized conspiracy in opposition to the Kingdom. He’s called Satan and he’s been in business for quite some time. That he has found some adherents and has a plan shouldn’t be surprising. The larger point is that God has a much larger plan with many more adherents and much more power, and it’s in our best interest to figure out what that plan is and to get on board with the Kingdom.
You can get lost and paralyzed with fear and frustration by focusing on what the enemy is up to. That’s the intent. There is an anointing on it (perhaps false). You can sense that there is some power or organization behind it. There is even a prophetic stream of believers who talk about it all the time in terms of warnings and judgment and the need for repentance. I want to offer an alternative – Jesus.
The Kingdom is growing – The wheat and the tares are growing together in this hour. 10 cities in California are on the verge of bankruptcy, and can’t pay the pension of public employees. Yet, the stock market just broke an all time high and many businesses in California are very healthy. Shall we curse the irresponsibility or bless them with the grace of God?
Waiting in Faith – Faith sees the work of the enemy, yet chooses to work on God’s plan. Faith is a simple decision to have a plan and make some progress on it every day. It’s being a good steward of the time and resources that God has already given us. The Kingdom is within us. When everything around us is going the wrong way, we can still choose to prosper and live in the presence of God, praising Him for the certainty of our daily progress and our eventual victory. There is a certain joy that comes from living every moment in that expectation. It allows us to fully engage in the present, enjoy the people around us and the time we live in, while maintaining great and healthy expectations for the future.
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. Hab 3:17-19 NIV
Breakthrough – Breakthroughs do require God’s power and intervention, but they come as a result of working, not waiting. We live in a time when those with faith will do great exploits in the Kingdom and ministry, and in wealth creation. No oppressive spirit can hold them back. No defeat can cause them to shelve their dream. No delusion can keep them from finding wisdom and being creative. No discouragement can cause them to quit. God gives those Kings their inheritance. We stand strong in the face of the enemy… having “done everything” that was in our power to do.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Eph 6:13 NIV
No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord. Isa 54:17 NASU
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go. Isa 48:17 NASU
…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:10-11 NIV
Write the vision, make it plain (in a Heart Plan), run with it. You can hear spirit of the message in this song.
