Tuesday, April 12
Live for others; join the struggle
Scripture: Joshua 13-14, Romans 15
Romans 15:1–3 Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. 2 Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself.
Romans 15:30 Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf.
Observation
Two things today.
First, Paul encourages us to live for others, not just ourselves. Rather than living to please ourselves, each of us is to “please his neighbor for his good, to build him up,” just as Christ did not please himself. The context here is accommodating those who are weak. It doesn’t mean that we become “people-pleasers,” who fawn over others for the sake of winning their approval. To the contrary, rather than operating from a base of insecurity, we are secure in our relationship with God, and so are confident and strong and able to serve others for their good. We please others because we are strong, not weak. It is an expression of love: doing what is best for others no matter what it costs us. Love puts others ahead of ourselves.
Second, Paul appeals for their prayers and asks them to “strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf.” The Greek word for “strive together” (sunagonizomai) is a picture of someone in a contest or battle inviting others to fight or struggle alongside. “Join me in the battle” by praying for me. Obviously, Paul believed their prayers would have an effect and make a difference.
Application
First, I want to be others-centered today. Every day, the top thing on my to-do list is JOY: Jesus Others You. It’s a reminder to live for Jesus first and be attentive to Him, then live for others before myself. Today, I want to “please my neighbor for his good, to build him up” with each person I meet. I want to ask myself, “How can I build up and benefit this person?”
Second, I want to join others in their struggles by praying earnestly for them. Don’t treat prayer requests casually! It’s an invitation to join the struggle and fight with them. God listens and answers these prayers. It’s a mystery—I can’t explain how it works—only that it works and we’re called to the battle in prayer. I’m thinking first of people like Paul—missionaries, pastors, front-line workers in God’s Kingdom. And also of people who are struggling—in their faith, in their marriage, in their lives in different ways. We are engaged in a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10-18) and are called to pray for each other.
(I’ve included an encouraging story on the power of prayer below.)
Prayer: Lord, help me today live for others, and not just myself. And help me to pray fervently, to join others in their struggle, knowing that You hear and answer and so our prayers make a difference.
Extra story:
When Focus on the Family was in its early stages and our children were young, my husband, Jim was often traveling. I had grown accustomed to his absences and was never really frightened while he was away.
After all, I knew God was protecting us. Jim and I have prayed for our family throughout our marriage, and God always honored our simple trust with his protection. So even when Jim was away, I slept in peace. Except once.
One night about 2:00 A.M., I awoke with a start. I was afraid and didn’t know why. For a few minutes (it seemed like hours!), I lay in bed worrying. Finally, I forced myself out of bed and sank to my knees.
“Oh, Lord,” I prayed, “I don’t know why I’m so frightened. I ask you to watch over our home and to protect our family. Send your guardian angel to be with us.” I climbed back into bed, and in about half an hour I was able to fall back asleep.
The next morning our teen-aged babysitter, who lived across the street, came running over. “Mrs. Dobson, did you hear what happened? A burglar robbed your next-door neighbor’s house last night!”
It was true. A thief had broken in, entered the couple’s bedroom while they slept and snatched the husband’s wallet from a dresser. The burglar escaped with the family’s vacation money, about $500.
Then the baby-sitter told me the police had determined the time of the robbery: about 2:00 A.M., the same time I had awakened in fear!
My mind reeled at the thought. “If a burglar wanted to break into our house,” I said, “he would probably try to get in through the bathroom window near our children’s bedrooms. There’s a hedge, and he’d be shielded from view. Let’s go look.”
When we walked to the window on the other side of the house, we saw that the screen was bent and the sill was splintered. Someone had indeed tried to break in!
The police later told me if the burglar had really wanted to get in, he would have. What had happened to stop him?
I am convinced God protected us through my panicked prayer. Something—or Someone—had discouraged the burglar from entering our house.
I was surprised, but I should not have been. For years Jim and I had prayed and fasted, trusting God to protect our family. We knew God powerfully works through prayer. Then on that dark early morning my trust was tested in a frantic moment, and God again proved faithful.
I can’t explain why God allows difficulties to come into our lives even though we are praying. But I know that even in those circumstances he is “an ever-present help in trouble.” That is why we can say, with the psalmist, “We will not fear…. The Lord Almighty is with us.”
Citation: Shirley Dobson, Decision (May 1999)