God expects us to put our faith into action, which takes effort.

Ecclesiastes 9:10a

Mark 14:8a

James 2:26

After we have done what we can, God does what we can’t.

Luke 5:4–6

John 11:39–44

John 21:5–6

Hebrews 11:7

We must rely on the Lord’s strength, not our own.

Psalm 20:7

Psalm 84:5a,7a

Psalm 105:4

Psalm 118:8

Zechariah 4:6b

2 Corinthians 3:4–5

2 Corinthians 4:7

Ephesians 6:10

Philippians 4:13

Colossians 1:11a

Self-effort is doomed to disappointment.

1 Samuel 2:9b

Psalm 33:16–17

Psalm 60:11

Psalm 127:1

John 15:4–5

Self-effort is trusting more in ourselves than in God, which He can’t bless.

1 Samuel 15:22

2 Chronicles 26:16a

Psalm 147:10

Jeremiah 17:5

Hosea 10:13

Matthew 7:22–23

1 Corinthians 10:12

Trusting the Lord means resting in Him and letting Him do the work.

Exodus 14:13–14

2 Chronicles 20:12

2 Chronicles 20:17a

Isaiah 40:31

Hebrews 4:10

Only when we cease from self-effort is the Lord able to fully work on our behalf.

Psalm 73:26

Psalm 94:17–18

Isaiah 25:4

Isaiah 40:29

2 Corinthians 1:8–9

2 Corinthians 12:9–10