Isn't it amazing how we idolize God's people that are either no longer with us or are still alive? We look at their "exploits" for God and somehow think that they are greater than us, hence we put them on a pedestal and follow them around (figuratively and sometimes literally).
Here on SI, we are constantly looking for someone that has the best sermon that might somehow ignite some kind of revival in us or motivate us in the right direction. There is nothing wrong with the encouragement we get from others in this type of medium.
When we look at Daniel, we see someone totally captivated by God and intent on doing His will and obeying Him. We don't see someone that is constantly searching for other men that are living the life that he wishes to live. No, he is not looking to man or for man at all. He is looking to and for God.
We see that Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that he needed someone to unravel (interpret) for him. A court official named Arioch wanted to claim full credit for discovering "a man of the captives" who could interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dream.
Did Daniel say "I can do it"? No, he did not take credit or think he had any ability at all. Daniel says, "There is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King...
Basically, Daniel was saying "I Can't,,,,,,,,But, God Can".
Imagine how everyone's heart may have dropped when Daniel says, that "wise men, astrologers, soothsayers and magicians" cannot show him the answer.
But then he says, "But God can". Exactly this: "But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets..."
Every great man of God and woman of God is known by this motto of the heart (if you will). "I Can't, but God can". This is their very life breath. It is not just a saying to them. They have been brought low. Brought to a place where they know without a shadow of a doubt that they can do nothing....But God can.
Being brought low is really a gift from God. Seldom do we see it that way.
Today we have these types of sayings, even on bumper stickers and billboards. "Together we can". It is such a common mantra today. People think that there is a certain type of safety in numbers that no matter what we are challenged with, "We can do it".
It is interesting what the Lord says about WE.
In Isaiah 53:6 He says,
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
The Lord tells us in John 15 what WE can do. He says WE can do nothing. That is really about all that we can accomplish.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Jeremiah weighs in:
Jer 50:6 My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.
So I ask, are we seeking fellowship with the crowd that says "We Can"? Do we want to hang out with those that believe "Together We Can", "We are Able"? Are we looking for people with great abilities (spiritual or otherwise), or searching for the "prophets" and "apostles" of our day in order to follow them?
All these men and women of God that so many admire and love to quote, were, I suspect in many cases (not all) the "I Can't... But God, Can", crowd.
Today, there are no more Daniels, or Josephs, or Muellers, or Tozers. Today we have you and I and God. If you think that "You Can" or "We Can", then you just subtracted God from your life and He is not in whatever you are doing. You only have one part of the equation.
There are many ministries that have perfected their administration of their programs and believe that they can rise to any challenge that is thrown at them and people admire them for their abilities to do such great things for God. Is God in their equation? Not if they are saying "We Can".
I would rather dwell with a people that say with their lives, "I Can't, But God, Can". Because this is where you will experience the Lord in the midst of His people, as a Body, together. He comes when we "cannot". In our weakness, His strength is made perfect.
Everything else is just human ideas and energy.
Jehoshaphat was one of these "We can't, but God can" people.
2 Chron 20:12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.
When you start saying "We Can, I Can, etc", you can be sure that God has moved on. What kind of people are you dwelling with? Are you a "Can do" type of person? I am speaking spiritually if you have not caught on by now.
Yes, Lord, we don't know what to do, but our eyes are upon thee.
1 Cor 4:7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
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