The Equipper
Heb 13:20-21 (WEY) 20 Now may God who gives peace, and brought Jesus, our Lord, up again from among the dead—even Him who, by virtue of the blood of the eternal Covenant, is the great Shepherd of the sheep— 21 fully equip you with every grace that you may need for the doing of His will, producing in us that which will truly please Him through Jesus Christ.
First of all, it would seem that truly pleasing God is the driving force, doing His will is how that is done, and this just isn’t going to be any old walk in the park that can be done blind-folded, with your hands behind your back. It’s going to take an equipping of every grace (the application of His empowering favor in every area of life) in order to accomplish this otherwise impossible feat. His will is widespread and far-reaching. Then, though, it is to be understood, that all of the ability to do this is provided by Someone with a more than adequate resume. It would seem there will just be no pleasing Him apart from humbly accessing His grace through the blood of Jesus, and allowing it to be Him who makes possible the righteous walk through the valley of the shadow of death, frustration and confusion. Pleasing Him would be completely overwhelming if it weren’t for the unfailing resource of His presence, whereby we are never without full ability to complete the deed according to His preferences and His desires.
Recently a gas explosion took place in the Gulf, releasing massive amounts of oil into the water, causing an enormous mess to clean up and widespread disruption of ocean life. This took place far below the surface of the ocean where a drill was penetrating the floor. I read somewhere that on the very day this took place the company was touting its safety measures and how it was equipped to deal with emergencies. Ironically, there seemed to be no preparation whatsoever for something that had to have been a considered a possibility all along. For day after day thousands upon thousands of gallons of oil have freely flown from the gaping hole with no prepared ability to do anything effectively, partly due to the troubled seas on the surface. The oil company and the government have been somewhat helpless to do anything but monitor the disaster. I did hear just recently, though, that there was a large box being lowered over the hole to cover and seal it. Something else mentioned was that the further actual efforts were made to remedy the situation, the more various feasible options were being presented to actually do so.
Every day is full of potential explosions that are capable of disrupting all of life around us. Rather than just considering that all the necessary resources and precautions are already in place, it is vital that a continual advance to the throne of grace be made, the only place where there are no unforeseen surprises. To maintain the life that has been provided in Christ, unspotted and unstained by the disrupting substance of life’s encounters, an intimate relationship with the only real Equipper will make available the ready solutions that are clearly held in His hand. In fearful and reverent pursuit of His favor, there will be a reception in arms that are open to receive each one who is ready to place their life in His trust. Pleasing Him will come by simply allowing Him to come in and cap the unstoppable flow of contamination and unrighteousness- something only He is capable of doing.
There is true pleasing of Him available for each one who will but take their place at His side.
Eph 3:20 (KJV) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,