One of the big problems in today's society is so many people wanting others to do for them what they should be doing themselves. Whether they rely on the government for handouts or other individuals to "carry them," it gets disheartening to see so many with the potential to do for themselves "demand" that someone else take care of them.
This malady is even found among local churches of the Lord's people. Countless hours are spent by elders and other concerned brethren trying to get such Christians (dare we call them "lazy"?) to busy themselves in the work of the gospel. As some have put it, and we concur, "God only helps those who help themselves."
I believe a Biblical remedy for this can be found in Acts 4:23-31. The scene is just after the imprisonment of Peter and John in Jerusalem for preaching the resurrected Jesus, and for healing the lame man (Acts 3:1 - 4:12). In its "wisdom," the Sanhedrin determined a good tongue lashing would get these unlearned Galilean fishermen to stop filling Jerusalem with their doctrine (4:17-18, 21). Yet, they would not be disuaded (4:19-20). It's what happens next that should impress us.
Peter and John go back to the other disciples and relate what had just happened (4:23). Then they prayed. What is so impressive is not that they prayed, but that for which they prayed.
Conventional wisdom would have asked God to "smite" the Sanhedrin so as to remove this threat to the gospel. But that is not what these men of God requested. They prayed for boldness to faithfully continue doing their part. Notice vv. 29-30. They wanted God to take note of the Jews' threats, and "grant that Thy bond-servants may speak Thy word with all confidence, while Thou dost extend Thy hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Thy holy servant Jesus" [emphasis mine, JBS]. See, they knew God would be doing His part "while" they would be doing theirs. They didn't need God to remove the Sanhedrin. The powerful word they were to preach would take care of that in due time (Rom. 1:16).
We have no doubts: God will always do His part. The only question is...are you, am I doing our part? Or are we waiting for someone else to do it?
