Can anyone tell the Lord what to do? Who can teach him or give him advice? With whom does God consult in order to know and understand and to learn how things should be done? [Isaiah 40:13-14 (GNT)]
Thinking of my friend who wanted to refrain from calling on her friends until she “really needed” them made me think how we tend to set aside nice things for the really important events or special occasions of life. Reserved for some special occasion, we have living rooms that aren’t lived in and dining rooms that aren’t dined in. We women have bath salts, scented soaps and lotions, perfumes and fragrant candles given to us and then we stash them away for a special time of pampering (that never happens). We save the sterling flatware for the elegant dinners that never seem to occur. Yet, unless it is used, sterling silver won’t develop its characteristic patina that only grows more beautiful with time and use. Friends, sterling silver, dining rooms, living rooms, and spa goodies—they’re all meant to be used and appreciated. If we’ve been blessed with supportive friends or beautiful things, we should avail ourselves of them. After all, every day with which we’re blessed is a special occasion.
Saving people and things for that special event or when we’re in desperate straits got me thinking about the way we pray. Do we keep our little concerns to ourselves and reserve our prayers for the big problems, the special occasions, the times we’re at the end of the rope and “really need” Him? Is ours a fallback or special occasion God we approach only when all else fails? Do we keep Him in reserve and only use him when in crisis mode? Nothing is too small or trivial to God. If it’s important to us; it’s important to Him; if it’s troubling us, it’s troubling Him; and, if we’re thankful for it (no matter how small it may be), He wants to hear our thanks and praise. While I can decide whether to use the crystal goblets or Lenox china for my guests, I don’t think I’m the one who is supposed to decide what is God’s business and what is mine—especially since it all is His! Let’s not save God for special occasions like we do the silver or Waterford crystal; let Him be like our stainless flatware and plastic glasses—our “everyday” God!
What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!
[“What a Friend We Have in Jesus (Joseph Scriven)]
Like all children, my grands are growing up and new challenges face them every day. The eldest is now driving and old enough to date. Come fall, she’ll be looking at colleges, two others will start junior high school, one enters kindergarten and the youngest is off to nursery school. Where did the time go?
The Philistine army, hoping to capture King David, raided the valley of Rephaim. Before responding to the attack, David stopped and asked God what action he should take. He didn’t present his battle plan for God’s consideration nor did he take action before receiving God’s instruction. God told David to go to battle, assuring him of victory over the Philistines. When the battle went as God had promised, David wisely did not take credit for the victory. “God did it!” he exclaimed, giving credit where credit was due. The Philistines, however, returned and raided the valley again. Although David had previously defeated them, he didn’t assume a similar victory the second time. Again, the shepherd king paused, looked to God for his battle plan and listened to His advice. This time, God gave him a new strategy, telling David to circle his army around behind the Philistines and wait for a sound like marching feet in the trees before attacking. David followed God’s advice and was victorious once again.
Today is the National Day of Prayer. Back in 1952, during the Korean War, the Reverend Billy Graham challenged our nation’s leaders with these words: “What a thrilling, glorious thing it would be to see the leaders of our country today kneeling before Almighty God in prayer. What a thrill would sweep this country. What renewed hope and courage would grip the Americans at this hour of peril.” In response, members of the House and Senate introduced a joint resolution for an annual National Day of Prayer, “on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.” President Truman signed a bill proclaiming that a National Day of Prayer must be declared by each subsequent president at an appropriate date of his choice. In 1988, the law was amended and the first Thursday in May was designated as our National Day of Prayer. The day’s purpose is to unite people of all religions in prayer and to renew respect for God throughout the world. This being the United States, the constitutionality of this law has been challenged several times. Fortunately, the challenges have been unsuccessful—chalk one up for the good guys!
Devotions of the Heart 