Do Your Best

““When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2)

The phrase “Do your best” and the suggestion behind it is not in the Bible, but I suspect it has been offered in many sermons. It has a companion adage from Esop’s fables, “A Wagoner was driving a heavy load along a muddy road. He came to a part of the road where the wheels sank half-way into the mire, and the more the horses pulled, the deeper sank the wheels. So the Wagoner threw down his whip, knelt down and prayed to Hercules the Strong.

“O Hercules, help me in this my hour of distress.”But Hercules appeared to him, and said: “Tut, man, don’t sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel.” “God helps them who help themselves.”

The Bible offers an opposite message through the Hebrew Patriarchs and kings. Abraham assumed at Sarah’s suggestion to help God fulfill His promise by siring Ishmael, but this caused enemies for Israel through the ages and still today. (Gen. 16:1-12) When Moses recognized his calling to be part of Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery, he killed an Egyptian slave master, then fled to Midian for decades. (Exodus 2:11-22) When Joshua decided they could defeat Ai, without consulting God, they were sorely defeated. (Joshua 7:3-12) When David decided to bring the Ark of God back to Jerusalem on an ox cart, the oxen stumbled and Uzzah died. (2 Sam. 6:1-8)

Jesus never told his disciples to “do their best”, but told them to rely on God through the leading of the Holy Spirit. He said, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5).

The great apostle Paul spoke of his ministry, saying, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

We are not to rely on our best understanding and efforts, but submit completely to the leading of the Spirit. (Romans 8:7-9) It may be that many of our leaders have been doing their best, instead of giving the Holy Spirit complete rule. In that case we have failed, as did Israel, but God is merciful and He will keep His promises and pull us through.