“My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” John 5:17
For the man at Bethesda, nothing seemed to be moving in his favor. The water was not moving for him. The people were not moving for him. No one was carrying him.
And after thirty-eight years, he could not move himself.
Everything around him seemed still. But God was not still.
Jesus came walking toward the place where the man had been lying. That is one of the great truths of grace. We often say, “God helps those who help themselves,” but that is not the gospel. Sometimes we reach places where we cannot help ourselves. Sometimes our strength is gone. Our options are exhausted. Our plans have failed. Our ability has reached its limit.
And God still moves toward us.
The man did not get himself moving so that Jesus would notice him. Jesus moved toward the man, spoke into his helplessness, and then the man was able to move.
Grace came first.
“My Father is always working.” Even when the water is still. Even when people do not show up. Even when circumstances refuse to change. Even when you have nothing left to contribute.
God is still working.
You may not always see movement around you, but that does not mean there is no movement in heaven. Sometimes the greatest movement is not the thing you have been waiting on. Sometimes the greatest movement is God coming toward you and our willingness to believe and respond to His Word.
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, help me trust You when nothing around me seems to be changing. Remind me that Your work is not limited by what I can see or by what I can do for myself. When my strength reaches its end, teach me to recognize Your grace. Help me respond when You speak and trust that You are still working, even in the stillness, in Jesus’ name, amen.
