The work of God can be carried on only by the power of God. The church is a spiritual organism fighting spiritual battles and only spiritual power can make it function as God ordained.
The key is not money, organization, cleverness, or education. Are you and I seeing the results Peter saw? Are we bringing thousands of men and women to Christ the way he did? If not, we need to get back to his power source. No matter the society or culture, the city or town, God has never lacked the power to work through available people to glorify His name.
When we sincerely turn to God, we will find that His church always moves forward, not backward. We can never back up and accommodate ourselves to what the world wants or expects. Our stance must remain militant, aggressive, bold.
This is what characterized General William Booth and the early Salvation Army as they invaded the slums of London. It also characterized early missionary endeavors such as Hudson Taylor in China and the revivalists on the American frontier who spoke the truth in love””fearlessly.
In the familiar story of David and Goliath, there is a wonderful moment when the giant gets irked at the sight of his young opponent. "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” he roars (1 Samuel 17:43). Goliath is genuinely insulted. "Come here . . . and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” (17:44).
Does David flinch? Does he opt for a strategic retreat behind some tree or boulder, thinking maybe to buy a little time?
Absolutely not!
"As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him” (17:48).
That is the picture of what God wants for us today: running toward the fray!
David’s weaponry was ridiculous: a sling and five smooth stones. It didn’t matter. And God still uses foolish tools in the hands of weak people to build His kingdom. Backed by prayer and His power, we can accomplish the unthinkable.