“I Can’t Stands No More” #3: New Testament

In every generation God searches for those who love Him with all their hearts. He strengthens those who are fully devoted followers. This truth is captured in 2 Chronicles 16:9a. “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him …”

Not only does He strengthen His followers; He identifies those ready to take on special assignments on His behalf. “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap …” (Ezekiel 22:30a).

God is looking for “stand in the gap” people. There are gaps everywhere you look. There’s a huge gap between rich and poor; educated and illiterate; strong and weak; holy and impure; and the list goes on.

Deep within you there’s a voice crying out, “Enough! Stop it!! This can’t go on anymore!!!” Somewhere in this big mess of a world there’s a wrong that must be made right; an issue that must be resolved; a truth that must be spread; or a need that must be met. What is it in your heart of hearts where you say like Popeye, “I can’t stands it no more?” What is it in the depths of your soul where you cry out like Howard Beale, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore?”

Andrew was the little brother of Simon Peter. Andrew’s only mentioned individually three times. In each instance, he’s bringing someone to Jesus: Simon Peter (John 1:40); a boy with bread and fish (John 6:9); and a group of Greeks (John 12:20-22). These people were the least likely to meet the Lord – a boisterous, uneducated fisherman; a small boy; and a group of Gentiles. Deep down Andrew “couldn’t stands” it no more that any barrier should stand between someone and the Lord.

A man named Matthias is only mentioned in one passage (Acts 1:20-26). The Eleven realized that Judas needed to be replaced. They proposed two men, prayed, cast lots, and the Holy Spirit directed that Matthias was chosen. We don’t know much about about Matthias, but it’s not hard to imagine that his heart “couldn’t stands” a false leader like Judas.

A woman named Lydia was a dealer in purple cloths. It was quite unusual for any woman to own her own business, especially a Jewish woman who was a worshipper of God. She accepted Christ after hearing Paul preach the gospel. Then she insisted that the entire group stay at her home. Her heart “couldn’t stands” that God’s workers would travel and not have a safe place to eat and sleep.

Timothy was raised by his mother and grandmother, both strong Christians. As he traveled with Paul, the evangelist must have seen fearfulness and anxiety in the young man. In 2 Timothy 1:7 Paul reminds Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” By the end of Paul’s life, Timothy was the pastor of the Ephesus church, and remained in that position until his own death – a martyr’s death. He “couldn’t stands” that fear would keep him from doing God’s work.

God has an assignment for you – a task based on your unique design. And God has equipped you for this job through your abilities, spiritual gifts, temperament, and life experiences. But most of all, your assignment is directly related to the passion burning within you that says, “That’s all I can stands, and I can’t stands no more.”

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