Leaving space on my to-do list for God’s direction . . .

In today’s devotional reading, Dr. Tozer writes that some ‘Christians’ devise a quota system for their witnessing, such as two a week, etc. This certainly true of at least one cult. Their ‘rules’ state that their people must ‘witness’ to their beliefs and they measure this by how many pamphlets are distributed. Some go door-to-door while others hand them out on street corners.

Tozer says he’d hate to be someone’s quota for the day because sharing the Gospel requires the guidance and concern of God through the Holy Spirit. The enemy blinds human minds to the reality of the spiritual world. The Holy Spirit can bring light into that darkness and often uses the witness of an obedient Christian. For this to happen, we need to pay attention to God’s leading so our words and our timing coincide with what the Spirit is doing.

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:3–6)

That said, unless God speaks plainly, we have no idea what He is going to do or who He intends to give His light to, only that we must say what He puts on our hearts to say. I’ve also learned that I must not gauge the results by how the person responds. They might resist, argue, even ignore what I said yet the Holy Spirit is at work. This is the importance of listening and obedience.

Prayer is a vital part of this challenge to witness as well. Tozer says, “When seeking to bring the lost to Christ we must pray continually that they may receive the gift of seeing. And we must pit our prayer against that dark spirit who blinds the hearts of men.”

Sometimes I think I’m praying to persuade God, but God wants people to hear and respond to the Gospel more than I do. Prayer is spiritual war.

^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, my prayer time today is cut short by two appointments. Nevertheless, I’m thankful for this reminder and encouragement to keep on praying, not to convince You but to battle against that old liar who wants people to perish in their sin. Help me today to pray without ceasing, even in waiting rooms and while moving about. Also prompt me if You desire me to do or say something to another person about You or their spiritual condition. Their eternal destiny could be at stake.