1/31 Strength for Today

Whom God is With
Ezra 1:3
“Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.”

When King Cyrus looked for someone to build the temple, you will notice that he looked for someone who had God with him. It is interesting that a wicked king was more interested in God being with someone to build God's temple than he was in someone who was the best contractor. Cyrus knew that a person who had God with them would do a greater and better work than someone who had talent and character but who God was not with.

Christian, the world knows if God is with someone. It is interesting that Ezra did not have to tell Cyrus that God was with him; the king could see that God was with him. King Cyrus seemed to have more common sense in this area than most Christians.

One of the greatest mistakes pastors make when putting someone in a position is that they look for someone who has talent in that area rather than someone whom God is with. Pastor, instead of looking for someone who has a lot of musical talent, you should look for someone whom God is with. Instead of hiring a funny or talented youth director, you should hire a person for the youth whom God is with. Instead of hiring an assistant pastor who seems to have great charisma, you should hire someone whom God is with. Church, instead of getting a pastor whose personality is out of this world; you need to get a pastor whom God is with. More than personality, talent and charisma, this world needs people in the church whom God is with.

Reader, is God with you? No, I'm not asking you if you are saved, I'm asking you if God is with you. More than knowing all the methods and current technologies you need God with you. More than having talent and improving your personality you need God with you. You will do more if God is with you than you will by having anything else.

You won't get God with you by living in the world and by never taking time to walk with Him in prayer and through reading the Scripture, you will only get God with you by spending time with Him. Your desire should be that God is with you in such a great way that everyone around you knows by observance that God is with you. If God is with you then you won't have to tell anyone, for they will see it. Strive and beg God to be with you in your life in a great way.