What Is Our Part?

Things are not always as we want them to be. Disappointments, disasters, distresses, diseases, dilemmas, discouragement and depression destroy our dreams and desires.

Problems seem to be the norm and solutions seem inadequate. Our need is urgent, and we see no light at the end of the tunnel. How will we get through this?

But that is not my business. It is God’s business. And in His time and way He will take us through the crisis. He has made many promises and He will be sure to keep them.

Too often when things go awry, we want to take charge, to take control, to speak right out what God needs to be doing. But it is not for us to do so.

The Bible says, “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's.’ Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.’” Matthew 16:21-27 (NASB).

Peter took as his responsibility the prevention of Jesus’ death. But, that was not his decision to make. That belonged to Jesus.

So, what part is mine and what part is not mine?

I. MY PART IS TO TRUST, NOT TO TAKE OVER:

A. Peter was a take-over guy and here is an example of that:

1. When Jesus said that He would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the religious leaders and that He would be killed, good old Peter was there with His 2 cents worth:

a. “Peter took Him aside and began to reprimand Him for saying such things. ‘Heaven forbid, Lord,’ He said. ‘This will never Happen to You!’”

b. You gotta be kidding me! Peter reprimanded Jesus? Servant contradicted Master? It was not Peter’s place to take over like that.

2. Peter was the man with a plan. And it did not include the cross. He wanted to take over when he should have trusted.

B. His heart was right, but he often let his love for Jesus cause him to make rash promises and impetuous decisions. He often reacted to circumstances without thinking; he put his mouth into gear before engaging his brain.

1. When it appeared that their hopes and dreams of a new Kingdom were down the drain, Peter brashly contradicted the Lord.

2. But it was not his place to take over and tell Jesus that He was not going to go to the cross.

C. It is not our place to take over either. Yet I have a tendency to give God “Plan A” and in case that doesn’t work, I give “Plan B.” And in the extreme, I can even fabricate “Plan C.” I want to make sure to cover all the bases. But it is not mine to take over.

D. It is mine to trust. The poem by Ethel Voas reveals the lack of, and need for, trust on our part

"I cannot understand

the ‘why' and ‘wherefore' of a thousand things:

the burdens, the annoyances, the daily stings.

I cannot understand,

but I can trust

for perfect trusting perfect comfort brings.

I cannot clearly see

Why life to one brings joy - unlocked for’ gain,

while to another bitter heartaches come, and pain.

I cannot clearly see - But I can trust,

and by and by my Father will explain.

I cannot see the end,

the hidden meaning of each trial sent;

the pattern into which each tangled thread is bent.

I cannot see the end,

but I can trust

and in God's changeless love I am content."

E. It is not ours to take over, it is ours to trust. One day, a man and his son Zac were out in the country, climbing around on some big rocks. Suddenly, Dad heard a voice from above him yell, "Hey Dad! Catch me!" Dad turned around to see Zac joyfully jumping off a rock straight at him. Zac had jumped and at the same time yelled "Hey Dad!" Dad became an instant rescuer and caught him. Both fell to the ground.