1 Chronicles 15:13
“It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.”
Last week I posited that Jesus intends us to partner with him in our life tasks. However, isn’t that a bit of a puzzling concept? How do we actually partner with Christ? I believe the answer is revealed in today’s passage.
The key seems to be, inquire of the Lord as to how to do whatever it is that you have in mind to do. It’s one thing to agree that we should partner with the Lord. It is quite another to figure out exactly what that looks like. First, we should embrace that this can be an everyday encounter and that is certainly a good aspiration. I also think we should begin our projects with a good brainstorming session with our God. Before we launch out into the deep waters, we can get a game plan together with God. What is natural for us is to put together a plan and ask God to anoint it. That is not really partnering because God has no say so in the operations. That model treats Him like a magical fairy. Instead, what I am proposing is that God’s paradigm for partnership involves Him in the decision making. Essentially, it is inquiring of Him and letting Him speak.
Of course, what good is it to inquire of the Jesus or the Father if we cannot hear their reply. An inquiry should yield a response. Many Christians do not believe we can actually hear the voice of God. That grieves me. Many of you know my story, how I chased God to San Diego because I was determined to hear His voice. You know what? It worked. I heard Him alright and it was an amazing week. It was begun by two factors. First, I believed we should hear the voice of our Father, and second, I was not hearing His voice. Had I not been certain that God wanted to speak with His kids in general and me specifically, I would not have chased Him and would not have gained the victory.
That leads me to my second point about partnering with God. “Now seek the Lord your God with all your heart and soul,” (1 Chronicles 22: 19). It seems to me that partnership must include seeking the Lord. Isn’t that the essence of partnering with someone, especially when your partner is the Almighty? So, the model looks like this to me. Seek the Lord. Inquire of Him. Hear His input. Partnering requires all three steps. Otherwise, it’s just us going along our merry way and hoping He will bless it. There is a much better way to do life. Partner with Christ!
Don’t hear your Father speaking with you? Ask me how.