Seven Things from God’s Wishing Well (part 4 of 7)

Do we sometimes feel like a cog in the machine of life, that we could be replaced and no one would notice?

If we feel that way, it is the world’s fault. We are brainwashed into thinking we must sacrifice our time to our job, our love to our children, and our money to needy causes. Then, if that’s not bad enough, Uncle Sam shows up each April to take the rest.

What does God say? He says he is our wishing well, and if we throw in our coins, he will give us whatever we need.

In the Scriptures, the verse in Matthew 11:28 tells it more like this: “Come to me when you feel you cannot take anymore, and I will be a place of comfort for you.”

God certainly wants us to ask him for our material needs, for he desires to give us good things. He also wants us to grow in him spiritually, which we do best when kneeling at an altar in prayer. However, it is when we can put others’ needs before our own that we can be assured we have matured in our Christian walk.

Yet, when we are tired of life, God also wants us to petition him for our personal needs. The following verses share what God desires us to ask of him:

Verse 1:

In 1 Kings 3:9, Jeremiah writes that he wants an understanding heart from God, for he wants to be able to tell the difference between good and evil.

What a wonderful request from God! When we can discern between good and evil, we can walk uprightly before him.

Verse 2:

James 1:5 encourages us to ask for insight into how to live for God, for God will give supernatural wisdom in abundance to all who come before him.

In the Old Testament, Solomon asked for wisdom rather than riches and long life. Look how God blessed him with all three!

Verse 3:

John 15:7 gives us the key for receiving what we ask of the Lord. In this passage, Jesus tells us that if we are his children, and we immerse ourselves in his teachings, then when we ask for our desires, he will give them to us.

However, in this passage we cannot overlook two key things. We must belong to him, and we must understand his teachings. When we abide in him, and his words abide in us, how can the things we desire for ourselves not be the very things he desires to give us?

Do we need a break from the pressures of this world? Do we need financial relief? Do we need to become more than a cog in a machine?

When we feel pressured by the world to give of ourselves until we are worn out and exhausted, we need to remember that God desires for us to come to him, for he is our provider. He will give us strength and courage, and he will do it more and more abundantly.

When the world takes everything we’ve got, God wants us to turn to him. He desires to replenish our hearts and souls, for as our Father, he loves us dearly.

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Excerpt of the Day

Comparing ourselves to God keeps us from veering far off course.

From Our Indulgent Notions,  Posted 14 June 2015