You Can’t Do It

by Marvin Bublitz

On a recent trip, I passed a large billboard in a field that read: “You can do it!” At first, I thought that it was a positive message that so many seem to need these days. Many are feeling helpless and hopeless with the recent upheaval in our economy, pandemic fallout, and feelings of isolation. Some have tried so hard to make a go of things. They plot and plan, work and worry, and somehow still feel hopeless in so many things.

When the Lord God created us, He gave us intelligence and the ability to achieve certain things. We can build homes, drive cars, and plant vegetable gardens. Yet even in these simple matters, we can only do what the Lord has given us the ability to accomplish. We can build homes, but we need the strength, wisdom, and materials that the Lord provides. We can drive, but we rely on the gift of eyesight. We can plant gardens, but need the Lord to send the rain and sun at the proper time.

In truth, apart from the Lord we can do nothing (John 15:5). Apart from the Vine, we can do nothing. That doesn’t always sit well with us. We broken clay vessels want to be the one in charge, the one doing the doing, the one telling the telling, and the one deciding the decisions. 

It started in the Garden of Eden. Satan whispered to Eve that she could be like God. There they were in the paradise of God and still they wanted more. Are we any different today?

If we are honest, we must admit that we are no different. We want to be the doer. We want to be like God. This sin is lurking in us since the Garden. Our sin condemns us. We need forgiveness. We need our sin removed from us. However, despite what that billboard declares, we cannot do it. We are powerless. 

“While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

– Roman 5:6

“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”

– Psalm 103:10-13

We want to be the doer. We want to be like God.

We confess in the Creed: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength…” The Old Adam in us glides over those words in the hope that we do not really mean them. But they are most precious, most comforting words. For in this confession, we remember that we are dust. That is something the Father always remembers. He remembers that we are dust—the work of His creation. More than that, He remembers that at just the right time Christ died for us. 

That billboard should say: “You can’t do it, but Jesus did!” 

In Him we have forgiveness and salvation. For the sake of His Son, the Father forgives, restores, and saves His rebellious creation. He blesses us to live in His paradise forever. That is something worth putting on the largest billboard. It is something for the child of God to live out and share every day as we journey to His Promised Land. It is the most joyous promise of our gracious God. 

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

– Psalm 103:1-5

When I tread the verge of Jordan,

Bid my anxious fears subside;

Death of death and hell’s destruction,

Land me safe on Canaan’s side.

Songs of praises, songs of praises

I will ever give to Thee;

I will ever give to Thee.

– LSB 918:3

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Rev. Marvin Bublitz is Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s East Regional Pastor.

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