Devotionals
Have you ever thought, as I have, that God must be tired of hearing your requests for help or forgiveness? Have you ever come creeping up to the Throne of Grace saying, "Lord, if You can stand to hear from me one more time...."? Have you imagined that God must roll His eyes and say, "Not YOU again!"
If so, then it's time for a change of perspective.
The world offers us many promises of help. Entertainment, drugs, and illicit relationships parade their enticements all around. Money boasts of its power. New-age gurus stroke our egos with the oldest lie in the book. "You can meet your own needs, because you shall be as God." Deception reaches out from every side, its bony fingers offering to scratch us right where we itch. (See 2 Tim. 4:3-4.)
If we ask another human being to help us with a little thing, that's an act of trust. But if we ask someone to meet our deepest needs, to do what only God can do, that’s worship. In Luke 5:17-26, Jesus told a man that his sins were forgiven. The Pharisees huffed, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" They clearly recognized Jesus' offer of forgiveness as a claim to deity.
Whether we realize it or not, we acknowledge His deity when we forsake all other hopes and cast our cares on Him.
God does not resent our petitions. To whom else would He want us to turn?
Who else should we ask to help us to stand, or to meet our financial needs? Who else can we trust with our fickle emotions, or our relationship problems, or our burden of sin?
How different my prayer life would have been if I had learned long ago to present my requests as a conscious, vibrant form of worship! How much more promptly would I have stopped my wanderings and rushed back to His fold if I had known how to pray:
"Oh Lord, I've blown it. I've sinned again. I am so grateful that I have You to turn to. Thank You for being the gracious, forgiving God that You are. I am coming to You because You are the only one who is worthy. You are the only one who can help, and I praise Your Name."
How wonderful to picture His smile as He picks me up and says, "I'm glad you knew you could come to me."
I'm glad I know it, too.
Author’s Note:
I originally wrote this devotional a couple of years ago, and an earlier version of it is posted on my website.
http://www.freewebs.com/dying_for_answers/
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Regarding the second paragraph where you talk about people turning to other things. Can I recommend you use 2Timothy 4:3-4 or Titus 1:13 - 14. These verses demonstrate what you are talking about. They would be a great compliment to your description. This would allow the scripture to reenforce what you are saying.
The only other thing I would do is approach this devotional from the standpoint of what has been past. Because you wrote this a couple of years ago, I would revise the closing paragraphs. I can draw strength from someone's honest testimony. But, I can trust someone who is telling me how to conquer because they have conquered. Or, at least they are conquering. But, if you address those paragraphs as someone who has yet to start, you can lose your credibility. Being real is good! Don't get me wrong. But, applying it to your life before sharing it, is better. I am sure you have done that.
Like I said, good theology. Good devotional too. I would enjoy reading more of your devotionals. I will be checking-out your website.