Monday, October 25, 2010
What do You want from me?
I've been working through Hebrews 11 & 12 for several days. I've been thinking particularly about prayer and the will of God.
It's clear from other verses that God has a will that is really more of a purpose for me and everyone else (gr. Boulomai). It will be accomplished. He also has desires for me and for others that are not always realized (gr. Thelo). They may or may not be accomplished. He might be waiting for me to ask for it!
Check the use in 2Pe3:9: It is not an act of God's will/purpose (Boulomai) that any perish (i.e., He doesn't destine to destruction), but is truly desiring (Thelo) that all come to repentance.
With this in mind, I've been reading Hebrews 12 - within the context of trouble in our life and "unanswered" prayer. I believe He is teaching me that there are times when "the promises" are not realized, or they are "seen from afar" because of a greater purpose - which at times is my training as a disciple of Christ.
This is probably why, in v. 14-17 he warns me of taking matters into my own hands and creating my own solution without Him, as Esau did. (Or even in crafting a solution & saying to myself "surely God is in this solution" or in saying "God, here's the solution, please bless it.")
Later when Esau sought the blessing he could not get it even though he sought it with tears. I don't think I want to go there.
I believe these would all be valid prayers when I don't think God is giving me what I ask for:
"What do You want from me?"
"What do You want for me?
"What do You want me do do?"
"If there's a reason for this in my life, please show me soon, Lord. I'd rather be a quick-learner than a long-sufferer."
Lord, help me have the strength, the faith, and the presence of mind to approach You in such a way - that I might learn Your ways; that I might run with endurance the race that is set before me.
This is hard, Heavenly Father, because my human nature says that, in learning this lesson, if I decide to believe this way, that I am inviting You to take through Job-like suffering, without deliverance, so that I can learn something. That's hard. So, really, help me have trust in Your goodness and Your love for me!
It's clear from other verses that God has a will that is really more of a purpose for me and everyone else (gr. Boulomai). It will be accomplished. He also has desires for me and for others that are not always realized (gr. Thelo). They may or may not be accomplished. He might be waiting for me to ask for it!
Check the use in 2Pe3:9: It is not an act of God's will/purpose (Boulomai) that any perish (i.e., He doesn't destine to destruction), but is truly desiring (Thelo) that all come to repentance.
With this in mind, I've been reading Hebrews 12 - within the context of trouble in our life and "unanswered" prayer. I believe He is teaching me that there are times when "the promises" are not realized, or they are "seen from afar" because of a greater purpose - which at times is my training as a disciple of Christ.
This is probably why, in v. 14-17 he warns me of taking matters into my own hands and creating my own solution without Him, as Esau did. (Or even in crafting a solution & saying to myself "surely God is in this solution" or in saying "God, here's the solution, please bless it.")
Later when Esau sought the blessing he could not get it even though he sought it with tears. I don't think I want to go there.
I believe these would all be valid prayers when I don't think God is giving me what I ask for:
"What do You want from me?"
"What do You want for me?
"What do You want me do do?"
"If there's a reason for this in my life, please show me soon, Lord. I'd rather be a quick-learner than a long-sufferer."
Lord, help me have the strength, the faith, and the presence of mind to approach You in such a way - that I might learn Your ways; that I might run with endurance the race that is set before me.
This is hard, Heavenly Father, because my human nature says that, in learning this lesson, if I decide to believe this way, that I am inviting You to take through Job-like suffering, without deliverance, so that I can learn something. That's hard. So, really, help me have trust in Your goodness and Your love for me!
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