God Works Through People

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Where is God when I need Him? Why didn't God do anything when I was struggling? Why did He let my loved one die? These are all questions people ask from time to time when they are struggling and facing doubt. The short answer to their question is that God was right next to them. He of course can do what He wants and when He wants, but according to the Bible and all throughout history, God works through people.

You can look all throughout the Bible and see miracle after miracle. You also see God talking. What you won't find is God jumping out of the clouds and performing the miracles or talking in front of people (besides when Jesus came). There are occasions where He did in front of a few people, but for the most part He spoke through and performed miracles through people.

How does God work through people?

God uses His Spirit, named the Holy Spirit to speak and work through people. The Holy Spirit gives us the power, knowledge, and wisdom to do the will of the Father. This is the same way that God worked through Jesus when He was on the Earth (Luke 3:22 & John 5:19).

God speaks to us through His Spirit by the still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13). From there we can choose to do what we hear or choose not to do it. Sometimes we know He is speaking and sometimes we don't. He can do His will through us with us knowing and not knowing.

An example of this is when I was at work. I decided to go to the store for some errands on my lunch break. While I was driving I got this thought in my head to pick up a box of donuts for my coworkers. I had never done this before, but I had it in my mind so I did it.

When I got back to work, the lady at the front desk started laughing. I asked what was so funny. She told me that she was hungry and she heard the Lord say to ask me for some food. She felt embarrassed and didn't want to, so He said "then ask Me." She was fine with that so she asked God for some food. Then when I came back and said I got donuts for everyone she immediately knew it was from God.

What's funny is that I didn't know it was God that gave me the idea to get the donuts. To be honest it felt really weird to have Him use me without agreeing to it. I was and still am okay with it, I was just surprised.

God can use us to perform miracles, cast out demons, and feed the office lady! God created everything in this universe so He can use them any way He pleases. He can even work through animals. If you read through Numbers 22 below you will see that God used a donkey to speak to a stubborn man. If God can work through a donkey, He can work through anyone and anything!

Numbers 22:21-39

21 So Balaam arose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the leaders of Moab.

22 But God was angry that he was going, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the road as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn in his hand, the donkey turned off from the road and went into the field; and Balaam struck the donkey to guide her back onto the road. 24 Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path of the vineyards, with a stone wall on this side and on that side. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she pressed herself against the wall and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall, so he struck her again. 26 Then the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam was angry and struck the donkey with his staff. 28 Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” 29 And Balaam said to the donkey, “It is because you have made a mockery of me! If only there had been a sword in my hand! For I would have killed you by now!” 30 But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been in the habit of doing such a thing to you?” And he said, “No.”

31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground. 32 Then the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was reckless and contrary to me. 33 But the donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away from me, I certainly would have killed you just now, and let her live.” 34 So Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. Now then, if it is displeasing to you, I will turn back.” 35 But the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you shall speak only the word that I tell you.” So Balaam went along with the representatives of Balak.

36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the Arnon border, at the extreme end of the border. 37 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not urgently send word to you to call for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I really unable to honor you?” 38 So Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you now! Am I really able to speak anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that only shall I speak.” 39 And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth.

Summary

God is the potter and we are the clay, so He can do what He wants with us (Isaiah 64:8). You can see all throughout the old testament and new testament that God performs miracles and speaks through people. When you confess Jesus is Lord and become born again we receive the Holy Spirit. If you have faith to believe God can work through you, the Holy Spirit inside of you will provide the power.

If you are looking to do the will of God you will need to have faith, because you cannot please Him without it (Hebrews 11:6) There are several occasions where Jesus was upset at His disciples because they lacked faith. If you believe, anything is possible (Mark 9:23).

If you were wondering where God was when you were struggling, you can be assured He was right there with you. Psalm 139 talks about how we cannot escape God. He knew us before we were born, knows when we wake up, and knows wherever we might go. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

Psalm 139

139 Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I get up; You understand my thought from far away. 3 You [c]scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, Lord, You know it all. 5 You have encircled me behind and in front, And placed Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot comprehend it.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. 9 If I take up the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will take hold of me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” 12 Even darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.

13 For You created my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You When I was made in secret, And skillfully formed in the depths of the earth; 16 Your eyes have seen my formless substance; And in Your book were written All the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts for me, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.

19 If only You would put the wicked to death, God; Leave me, you men of bloodshed. 20 For they speak against You wickedly, And Your enemies take Your name in vain. 21 Do I not hate those who hate You, Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? 22 I hate them with the utmost hatred; They have become my enemies.

23 Search me, God, and know my heart; Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there is any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

I have many testimonies of God using me to get a word of knowledge for someone that was suicidal or in pain and then God delivering them. I know many other people that have testimonies just like mine. God wants to use you to help the hurting and brokenhearted. God works through people. If you are a Christian I encourage you to read the Bible, get some faith and start believing God will use you in extraordinary ways to help those around you.

Jesus came to help those that need help and so should we. Let your light shine wherever you go. People are hurting everywhere. The light that is within you has the power to help anyone that comes in your path.

I dare you to believe it!

Update* The day after I wrote this article I was at work and had the idea to take a break and go to the gas station to fill up my tank. On my way back I had the idea to go the long way, which I never do. Then I saw cops and traffic jams everywhere. We were on an overpass and I could see down and there were police cars blocking traffic from both sides.

I wasn't sure what was going on until I saw a man standing at the edge of the bridge. It was then that I knew God had used me again to be there at that exact moment to pray for him. I said the same prayer that I do for everyone that requests prayer from my suicide project pages.

God recently gave me the idea to share my testimony to help those that are suicidal. I created a completely separate website dedicated to helping those that have lost hope. You can find it at suicidetalks.org. There are hundreds of people viewing it each day.

These are two examples of how God works through people. Knowingly and unknowingly. If you want to learn more you can ask in the comments section below or at out Contact Us page.