May 4
Judg 19:1-20:48 | PS 104:24-35 | Prov 14:22-23 | John 3:22-4:3
As we approach the National Day of Prayer, we must consider the words in James 4:3, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." Prayer is sorely lacking in our society. Many simply don't pray. But a great many, within the church, pray amiss. God is not a genie, in which we give God a laundry list of all of our requests, with the hope that He will rubber stamp our will. Prayer is a conversation between us and God. But more than that it should be done in a spirit of humility, in which we align our will to His will. That which is less is seeking the guidance and will of Him who is so much more. So, may we approach Him in the adoration which He so deserves. May we approach Him in the humility and respect that this conversation warrants. Though we are limited, He is not. May we not approach Him with limited choices as though we are giving Him a multiple choice test. You know, " God should I do this or that". Perhaps God has something completely different planned for us. The better question would be, "Lord, what shall I do?" Let us not place limits around our limitless God.
The book of Judges continues to decline further and further. After a scene which closely resembles that which took place in Sodom so many years before, the tribes of Israel are assembled to war against the tribe of Benjamin due to their actions. Their question to God in Judges 20:18, is “Which of us shall go up first to battle against the children of Benjamin?” The better question should have been, "Lord, what shall we do?" They prayed amiss and through their multiple choice questions, and praying amiss, it cost them 40,000 lives. It was only after two failed attempts, and in exasperation that they ask the right question in 20:28, "Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of my brother Benjamin, or shall I cease?" In our reading in John, we see a similar concern. The disciples of John could not see the larger picture. They only saw the followers of Jesus were increasing while their numbers were decreasing. But John, saw things rightly, as we see his response in John 3:30-31, "He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all."
Realize even people very close to God can pray amiss, as we remember the scenario in the upper room in the first chapter of Acts, when the apostles approach God with a replacement choice for Judas, giving God only two choices. So, as we approach the National Day of Prayer, and more importantly as we approach Him each and every day in prayer, just imagine what could happen in our nation and in our lives if we really prayed and sought His will in every sphere of our lives and for our nation. Not our will, but His. Not limiting our prayers only to earthly concerns, but opening ourselves to His leading.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: