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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
Where in the Bible does it say, “God helps those who help themselves”? Or for that matter, where does it say, “As a tree falls, so shall it lie”? There are other "verses" also that can't be located. “Cleanliness is next to godliness” is another example of what has been termed “chimney corner” scripture. Even if a particular verse does not appear verbatim in scripture, it does not mean that the concept is not there. Consider the following account and a principle that permeates several biblical events.
“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, ‘Arise quickly!’ And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, ‘Gird yourself and tie on your sandals’; and so he did. And he said to him, ‘Put on your garment and follow me.’ So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.” (Acts 12.5-9).
It is certain that the loosing of the chains on Peter’s hands was a miraculous act. The authorities who placed Peter in prison had done due diligence in making sure that he would not escape. The chains were a part of their handiwork that simply could not withstand the Divine power that was brought to bear on the situation. Therefore, the “chains fell off his hands.” Note that immediately after the chains were loosed, the angel told Peter to “gird yourself and tie on your sandals.” He also told Peter to “put on your garment.” Question: If the angel had the power to break the chains, couldn’t he have put on Peter’s sandals and coat? If so, why didn’t he do so? Look at some similar occurrences.
On the occasion of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, He asked, “Where have you laid him [Lazarus]?” Did Jesus not know the location of Lazarus’ tomb? Could He not have known? Jesus also asked others to “roll the stone away.” Could His power not move the stone from the mouth of the cave? After Lazarus came forth from the tomb wrapped in graveclothes, Jesus told those who stood by to “Loose him and let him go!” In each of these cases, Jesus asked others to do what they were capable of doing while performing by miracle that which He was solely capable of performing. He could have known the location of the tomb, He could have rolled the stone away, and He could have loosed the graveclothes from around Lazarus’ body – but He didn’t do any of these things! (see John 11.34-44).
There were at least two occasions when Jesus fed large multitudes of people from small quantities of food. On each occasion He took a few loaves and fishes and multiplied them to a quantity sufficient to feed the multitudes – and had food left over! Once again, was the Creator of all that exists not able to speak into existence gigantic amounts of food without the “kid’s meal” He started with? To ask the question is to answer it! Of course He could have – but He didn’t!
So although the verse that says, “God helps those who help themselves,” cannot be found, there seems to be a consistent theme that says that God expects us to do for ourselves before special blessings can be expected. How often do we ask God to do that which he has empowered us to do for ourselves? I think we frequently fret about God’s lack of action while He is also concerned about us and thinking, “Why isn’t he/she doing what can be done to resolve the matter!” I think it happens frequently! Put on your garment!
Questions:
1. What is a “chimney corner” scripture? Do you know any?
2. How much of God’s power is depleted by the performance of a “minor” miracle? How about a “major” miracle? Is God’s lack of action on any matter a case of lack of power? Why or why not?
3. Does God only help those who help themselves? If yes, what did you do to earn a chance for eternal life?
4. Is it possible sometimes that we “wait on God” while He also “waits on us”? If yes, how can this be?
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