Seeing God’s Work Firsthand
with Beth Moore
Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work
to this very day and I, too am working.’” (John 5:17)
In her book, Whispers of Hope, Beth Moore admits to learning some hard lessons using the words always and never when speaking on behalf of the Lord.
However, Beth has learned that there are some “always” and “nevers” she can grab on to—those labeled by God Himself. “My Father is always at his work to this very day and I, too, am working,” is a reliable one. No matter what is happening in her life or in the chaotic world around her, she knows she can rest on the fact that God is always at work.
Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” Not only can we be assured He is at work but we can be sure that He is committed to completing it. God can do anything He wants if it’s not contrary to His will or His Word. Whether or not He chooses to do a particular thing is His business, but His ability is certain. He is able.
On their first day in the ravaged African nation of Angola, Keith and Beth Moore visited a one of LIFE’s malnutrition clinics. They encountered a little boy named Matthew, who was in advanced stages of malnutrition.
Keith described the painful scene. “As I watched Matthew, I was convinced that he was drawing his last breath. He was laboring to breathe-- just heaving up. I thought he was gone. I didn't see how he was going to make it.”
Beth began to pray on the basis of what they believed God had the ability to do. “Lord, we thank you that you are the God who can literally raise the dead. Father, without that kind of power, I don't know how this child will ever survive. I pray, Lord, that you would breathe life into him. I pray that you would cause the nutrition that they have given him to take effect. You love this child. You gave your Son for this child, Father. Minister to this precious mother, Lord. In the mighty and loving and saving name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.”
The experience was so painful that Keith could not go in to the next clinic. Later he explained what he had dealt with during the first two days. “We think that we know what poverty is, but when you're looking at people who have nothing to eat or nothing to drink, whose children are dying, you can't help but be slain by that. If you don't just fall face forward in the dust with your head down and go, ‘Lord, don't strike me dead,’ there is something wrong with you. It is very powerful. “
Beth described what God did in her as she repeatedly acted on what she believed was in agreement with His Word. “There are times when you know that the rest of your life will pivot from that point,” she said. “You know that something hit you so deeply that you are changed forever and that's how both of us felt, not just me. Matthew was planted on our minds and engraved in our souls. Keith felt it constantly. He had his head in the word over and over.”
After they returned from Africa, the missionary in Angola emailed the Moores a picture of Matthew. Keith and Beth were told that Matthew had experienced a miracle, and the photo showed him standing and healed.
“I fell straight to my knees. I just stared at the picture thinking…this cannot be. My mind might have been able to tolerate it if someone had said ‘Matthew is still alive in the clinic.’ I would have thought what a work of God! But to hear and witness that the child that we saw together is now up on his feet--that is incomprehensible to me. That is something only God can do. “
Beth reminds us that once we belong to God, He obligates Himself to the good work in and through us.
“His ability is certain,” she says, “and He desires to work to your profit, to your excellence, to your sanctification as a set-apart, distinguished person of faith. He is always at work—completing what He started.”
This Week
Do you believe God is able to use you? God is gloriously stubborn. Whether or not you see a hint of Him, you can always count on Him. He desires to work with and through you.
Prayer
“Father, I rest in the knowledge that you are at work no matter how chaotic the world becomes or how much pain we see. Help me to do my part.”
LifeToday.org has great Beth Moore resources including the books Believing God and When Godly People Do Ungodly Things, plus the exclusive audio/video teaching series Fully Alive.
