October 15, 2013

¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11 (NIV)

Whatsoever we ask which is not for our good, He will keep it back from us. And surely in this there is no less of love than in the granting what we desire as we ought. Will not the same love which prompts you to give a good, prompt you to keep back an evil, thing? If, in our blindness, not knowing what to ask, we pray for things which would turn in our hands to sorrow and death, will not our Father, out of His very love, deny us? How awful would be our lot, if our wishes should straightway pass into realities; if we were endowed with a power to bring about all that we desire; if the inclinations of our will were followed by fulfilment (sic) of our hasty wishes, and sudden longings were always granted. One day we shall bless Him, not more for what He has granted than for what He has denied.  H.E. Manning (1865-1892) Archbishop of Westminster*

 
The old dudes could write! 

There are some things which we can ask of the Lord and be 100% assured they are within His will:  salvation, the fruit of the spirit, opportunities to witness, and others; however, much of what we pray for must be left to His will and wisdom.

Healing from an illness. . .We don't know what will serve the kingdom better- health or continued illness or death.  Financial distress. . .Perhaps He is using that difficulty in a manner which will bless us even more than great wealth.  Job challenges. . .Difficult employers and colleagues may be just the crucible our faith needs.

I was at the store Sunday and there was a little boy begging his parents for a Mountain Dew from the soda cooler conveniently placed in the check-out line. 
"Please mommy."
"No."
"I want it!"
"No, you don't need it."
"Daddy, can I have it?"
"Your mother said, 'No'."  (Dad threw mom under the bus here, but the story still has application.)

Eventually the parents allowed the little tyke to get a bottle of water. 

How many times do we ask our Heavenly Father for Mountain Dew with all its sugar, caffeine and additives when He knows that water is all we need and is much better for us?  Just like our earthly parents want only the very best for their children, so God will only give us those things which will better serve His kingdom.

Does that mean He will not allow us to make poor, damaging decisions?  Certainly not.  We can still act outside His will and end up with a basket full of trouble.  But if we stay in His will for our lives, whether He answers "Yes" or "No" to our prayers, we can be assured the ultimate outcome is the very best He has for us.

*Daily Strength for Daily Needs- February 21
http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/8534/pg8534.html