Tag Archives: answered prayer

October 15

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Mark 7:1-8:10; Matthew 15:1-39

I have to say I’m a little disappointed in the disciples. Days after Jesus fed over five thousand people with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish, a crowd of 4,000 were hungry. Jesus expressed concern for the congregation and the disciples responded by whining that they were too far from the nearest McDonalds to feed them. The disciples even knew there were seven loaves of bread right there.

I find it interesting that none of the twelve jumped up with anticipation, remembering Jesus’ earlier miracle, and expecting a repeat.

But before I get to hard on the disciples I need to take a look inside me. Over the years God has proven to be faithful, to work things out according to his will and my good. He’s answered countless prayers and showered me with blessings beyond what I could have imagined.

So why do I get fearful of the future? Why do I question him when bad things happen? Why do I whine and complain when my situation looks hopeless?

Reading these passages today reminds me that God is able. God loves me. And God holds me in the palm of his hand. With each day God gives me, let me rise with anticipation and excitement, expecting God to do something wonderful. Why should today be any different?

July 22

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Isaiah 61-65

Isaiah 64:4 says “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” Over and over God has shown himself to be the one true God. There just is no other.

And the amazing thing about God is that, not only is he bigger than life, mighty, holy, and righteous, he is also personal.

God wants to live right here in our hearts. He wants us to recognize his still small voice. He wants to have fellowship with each of us.

The Bible tells me God is working in my life to bring me closer to him. He’s working in your life, too. He wants to speak to us both through the pages of his Word. He wants us to wait on him, meditate on his Word, pray. He wants us to know when he nudges us toward action and he wants us to obey.

And when we wait on him, when we obey, he promises to act on our behalf. That doesn’t mean we’ll always get what we want. But it does mean we’ll get what he wants for us.

Even better!

 

June 17

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I Kings 21:1-29, 22:51-53, 1-35; 2 Chronicles 18:2-34

I don’t think Ahab ever grew up. When Naboth wouldn’t give the king the vineyard, Ahab locked himself up in his room and pouted. Impressive behavior for a nation’s leader.

Then when the king of Judah wanted to combine military forces with Israel, they decided to ask God first. But when Jehoshaphat suggested they go to the prophet Micaiah, the king of Israel (I presume was Ahab) said no, “I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad.” Very mature.

I think God is asking me to measure my spiritual maturity level. Do I see Ahab’s behavior in me when I face disappointment or correction? Are there times when I find myself pouting or complaining because God didn’t answer a prayer like I wanted or times when I avoid someone who sees through my act and calls me on sin in my life?

I wonder if the decline in some churches’ attendance isn’t a reflection of this kind of immaturity. It seems many people would rather be entertained on Sunday morning, told how great they are and how much God loves them. But if they hear the truth, that there is no one righteous, not even one, that all have sinned, that they need Jesus’ blood to be acceptable to God, that Christianity is not a ticket to health and wealth, then they stay home and pout. Or they find another church that will tickle their fancies.

I don’t know. But I think God would have us all ask ourselves… have I grown up spiritually? If not, maybe it’s time.

Lord, I pray for maturity today when faced with disappointment or hearing the truth about sin in my life. May my reactions honor you. Forgive my times of pouting or self-pity. Forgive my tendancy to turn a deaf ear on things I need to hear but don’t like. May I put aside childish things and enjoy a mature relationship with you today.

May 10

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Psalms 37, 9, 10, 27; 2 Samuel 15:37, 16:15

What does it mean to ‘delight in the Lord’? David writes that those who do will receive the desires of their hearts. He goes on to say commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will do it.

This sounds like a recipe for getting my way. Like my nephew’s dog who rings the bell by the door when she wants to go out. Sure, she rings the bell when she needs to relieve herself in the  yard. But she also rings the bell if she sees a squirrel or hears the neighbors dog outside.

So is David saying if I love God enough, if I ring the love-bell just right I’ll get whatever I want? Is God that genie in the sky who grants wishes if we feel the right feelings or say the right words?

David’s psalm goes on to talk about the battle he has going on with his enemies. In fact, all the psalms we read today are about struggle and victory. They are about wickedness and righteousness. In other words, they are about victory over sin and our enemy, Satan.

If we take a few verses out of context because we like how they sound we don’t have an honest interpretation of Scripture. So what does it mean to delight in the Lord? Read on. Trust, commit yourself to God, do good, be still, turn from evil. The Bible says we are to love God with all our hearts, our minds, our souls.

It’s kind of funny. If we love God like the Bible tells us to, if we are committed to him, if our walk with him is grounded in Scripture, our desires come from him, too. It’s no longer what we want but what he wants for us. Then we will receive the desires of our hearts, his desires for us.

Father, thank you for always wanting what is best for us. Help us to stay so close to you that we will want what you want. Help us to lay aside our selfish ambitions and trust you with every detail of our lives. May we delight in you and praise you for all you do.