How many times have we...
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How many times have we prayed and prayed and wondered if there was any one up there to hear our prayer? We expect God to jump at our beck and call -- I thought we were the servants! The answer could be no!
My daughter would often ask for a bit of money. If it were only a dollar, I might give it to her to get her off my back. If I didn't give her a slightly larger amount, she might use her appeal: "Oh Daddy, you always help me when I ask you. Please can I have a five?" Sometimes it gets through to me, but if doesn't right away, she may even sit in my lap and rustle my hair -- sometimes that works. Like the annoying widow, it may wear me down. But there are sometimes when I know the money might be used for something I disapprove of, and then there is nothing she can do to get a dime.
Do we sometimes try those tricks on God? We may have to examine what we are asking for and determine if we believe it would be in God's will. Even things that are in his will might take time. We may not give up when we are in the mission field or even in our church and we need funds for something we feel is really for God and his work!
My former seminary students in Nepal often appeal for contributions. Sometimes it is to help someone in trouble, but once someone asked for a big chunk of money to come to America and do more study. In some cases it could be a benefit to his church and community, but sometimes it could be for his desire to get away or to boost his ego. I have to ask God for the wisdom to determine what is best for him and for God's work. Maybe he will keep pushing until I give in because he is one of my boys! Judges in Jesus' day often gave special attention to widows who cried out for justice, as I give special attention to my former students.
If it is a worthy cause, how much more will our Lord give to the needs of the people he loves -- if we have faith!
My daughter would often ask for a bit of money. If it were only a dollar, I might give it to her to get her off my back. If I didn't give her a slightly larger amount, she might use her appeal: "Oh Daddy, you always help me when I ask you. Please can I have a five?" Sometimes it gets through to me, but if doesn't right away, she may even sit in my lap and rustle my hair -- sometimes that works. Like the annoying widow, it may wear me down. But there are sometimes when I know the money might be used for something I disapprove of, and then there is nothing she can do to get a dime.
Do we sometimes try those tricks on God? We may have to examine what we are asking for and determine if we believe it would be in God's will. Even things that are in his will might take time. We may not give up when we are in the mission field or even in our church and we need funds for something we feel is really for God and his work!
My former seminary students in Nepal often appeal for contributions. Sometimes it is to help someone in trouble, but once someone asked for a big chunk of money to come to America and do more study. In some cases it could be a benefit to his church and community, but sometimes it could be for his desire to get away or to boost his ego. I have to ask God for the wisdom to determine what is best for him and for God's work. Maybe he will keep pushing until I give in because he is one of my boys! Judges in Jesus' day often gave special attention to widows who cried out for justice, as I give special attention to my former students.
If it is a worthy cause, how much more will our Lord give to the needs of the people he loves -- if we have faith!
