Good Morning, Everyone! :hibye: Daily Scriptural Text for Friday, February 16, 2007:
20 "I call to You, O God, but You never answer; and when I pray, you pay no attention."--Job 30:20, Today's English Version.
Complimentary Scriptures:
2 "If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales,
3 They would outweigh all the sands of the sea. That is why I spoke impulsively."
--Job 6:2, 3, New Living Translation.
My comment: Have any of us ever "raged" against God? Either out loud; or, in the intimate thoughts of our heart? Personally, there was a time when I did so on a regular basis. Does God understand where that is coming from? Well, let's ask a different question:
Just exactly what is it that God doesn't understand?
The words of faithful Job, found in today's Scriptural text, demonstrate that anyone, -- even a loyal, integrity-keeping, faithful servant of God, -- can "have their moments."
Whenever I think of this topic, there is one mental image permanently etched in my mind. It is from the movie, "Forrest Gump." If you have seen that motion picture, you may recall "Cap'n Dan" at the top of the shrimp boat, as he and Forrest were out to sea, in the middle of a hurricane. There's "Cap'n Dan," the double amputee, ... reviling God, ... challenging God to smite him, ... truly "cursing God." ... Yet, what happened? They survived the hurricane; even though "Cap'n Dan" was at the top of the mast as a human lightning rod, God had not "smote him." God had preserved (saved and protected) "Cap'n Dan," Forrest, and their boat through that fierce, life-threatening storm, which had wiped out every other boat of the same type as theirs. Some time later, it became abundantly clear that "Cap'n Dan" had experienced a spiritual awakening. He had "found" the God whom he had formerly reviled. And, he was a permanently-changed man. For the better. Much, much better.
Sure. It's only a motion picture. But, I suggest that this real-life lesson conveyed is powerful and profound. Does God hear prayers? Does God answer prayers? Yes; and, Yes. Even if the content of our prayers may not be what we would wish it to have been, as our understanding grows.--Romans 8:26.
So often, I find myself praying, as did the tax collector of Jesus' illustration, ...
13 "O God, be gracious to me, a sinner."
--Luke 18:13, New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. (See verses 9-14. for the full illustration.)
Another favorite prayerful thought of mine comes from spiritual, mental, and emotional "Recovery" programs around the world.
"God, I pray only for knowledge of Your Will, and the power (from You) to carry that out."
Let's look at another aspect of this matter.
Why might it sometimes seem to us as if God is not hearing or not answering our prayers?
Sometimes, we may experience valuable personal growth which we might not as readily acquire in any other way than to endure whatever it is that is challenging us. Pondering on the example of Job may reinforce this lesson for us. As long as things were "nice and cushy" for Job, how could he know for sure the depth of his love for God; or, for that matter, the extent of his own loyalty, faithfulness, and integrity? These things were revealed through Job's endurance of permitted adversity. (Job 27:5-b.) And, let's not forget: He was greatly blessed, at the end of his period of difficulty. Most important of all, his future in the Paradise earth to come is secure, isn't it?
2 Consider it all joy, my brothers, when YOU meet with various trials, 3 knowing as YOU do that this tested quality of YOUR faith works out endurance. 4 But let endurance have its work complete, that YOU may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything.--James 1:2-4, ibid.
Have A Fabulous Friday, Everybody! :friends:
In Our Best Times, -- And Our Worst, -- May We Always Turn To "The Hearer of Prayer"! :ok:
Much LOVE to ALL! :love: isomam
PS: If you are not a regular reader of Calihavoc's (sis Micah's) Prayer Threads, all I can say is, you don't know what you are missing.
02-16-2007, 11:37 AM