Unexpected Answer

Unexpected Answer

Hebrews 5: ⁷ In his life on earth Jesus made his prayers and requests with loud cries and tears to God, who could save him from death. Because he was humble and devoted, God heard him. ⁸ But even though he was God's Son, he learned through his sufferings to be obedient. ⁹ When he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him, ¹⁰ and God declared him to be high priest, in the priestly order of Melchizedek.

 

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“LORD please take this problem away” was my cry. I had just started following GOD’s ways and it seemed like my request went unheard. Eventually I stopped crying out because it seemed like things were just not going to change.

 

• I wanted “my” way.
• I wanted the problem to be solved the way I thought it should.
• I wanted a solution to “my” trial to be put in place where, when and how I thought it should.

 

Paul, the assumed author is revealed that even JESUS cried out, wanting something else to happen, but did not get that desire fulfilled. HE was willing to die, but did not want to go through the agony of death, nor be blamed for every sin. HE wanted to be saved from death. BUT GOD had another answer to HIS cry.

 

My Observations

• I don’t want to go through the pain and agony of life, BUT GOD allows it so I can do something greater
• I cry out to GOD to take away any pain that I or anyone I know may go through, BUT GOD understands why I need to go through pain versus going around it.
• I ask GOD to take away any trial, trouble or tribulation, BUT GOD has a purpose for anything I go through and it always ends up better than I expected.

 

Let me say out loud that growing up is hard! I mean, when I have to go through pain, I usually want to whine about it and tell a lot of people about the agony I am going through in hopes of comfort or sympathy. BUT GOD has a different plan that grows me up from being a child, spiritually.

 

HE takes me through the trial instead of me going around it. HE does something better… HE goes through the trial with me. JESUS went through pain, suffering and agony, just for you and me. HIS obedience “taught” HIM that the pain would be worth it because the bigger plan would save everyone. I am grateful that JESUS stayed the course, so maybe I should too.

 

Challenge

• What thing was “learned” as the writer puts it?
• Have you ever gone through a trial and realized you were better off because of it?
• Will you look to GOD and know HE has the best plan for you to grow your faith and to prosper you to HIS rewards today?

Praying for Foolishness

Jeremiah 37: ² Neither he nor his attendants nor the people of the land paid any attention to the words the Lord had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet.

³ King Zedekiah, however, sent Jehukal son of Shelemiah with the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah the prophet with this message: “Please pray to the Lord our God for us.”

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“Why would anyone go to this church?” I said to myself. As I complained about the same folks who would stand and holler and the same folks who would shout amen at just the right time as if on cue, something happened. Someone broke into my car, meanwhile some crazy misdirected bill came from nowhere and I had pains in my chest. I wonder if the people at church would pray for me.

• There have been times when I have not followed GOD but needed prayer.
• There have been times when I thought GOD and HIS church were made for me.
• There have been times when I thought I could selectively listen to the Bible or preachers.

Looking back I can see my immaturity in my relationship with GOD. I wanted to go to a church that said what I wanted to hear, meet when I wanted to meet and sing what I wanted to hear. I did not want to serve rather be served and did not want to be bored with lists of names and words of repentance. I only wanted blessing without changing my ways. BUT GOD wanted more from me.

• GOD wants a spiritual relationship with me, that is why HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me upon believing in HIS death and resurrection.
• GOD wants a truthful relationship with me, that is why I should confess when I sin so I can acknowledge my need for HIM.
• GOD wants a real relationship with me, that is why I have to get to know HIM.

Prayer is only as powerful as my faith. Faith is only as powerful as my belief. Belief is only as powerful as my trust. If I do not trust GOD then my belief, faith and prayer fall to the wayside. I want a real relationship with GOD which means I need to get to know HIS heart. Why does HE feel the way HE feels about me?  I should find out “What does HE want” instead of always asking HIM for my way. GOD wants me to have a relationship with HIM through JESUS, and then my prayers will be heard.

• Do you feel your prayers are not heard?
• Are you still living in your own way?
• Will you ask GOD what does HE want from you today?
• Will you turn to HIM and trust the path HE has you on?