"Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth." - Hosea 6:3
"asking not for instant escape but for "enablement"--for strength to sustain the burden and do what we ought to do without the fear of man."
This is a thought worth remembering when praying. I, for one, often pray for relief or answers instead of enablement. I get busy placing burdens in God's hands. Maybe, instead, we should ask Him to enable our own hands. A real caution for me would be this: when He does enable me, I'd have a tendency to be prideful over my new ability and not give the glory to God.
[Let me remember the Source of all strength ("The Lord is the strength of my life," says Ps 27:1 AV) and, cheered by the image of a human being in whom that strength was shown, follow his example.]
Wow! What a fresh look at an awkward situation. How many times have you, or I, complimented a pastor or a presenter after an inspirational sermon only to have him say, "I take no credit ...give the glory to God." I've always understood the concept but knew there was something missing. If not, the moment would be perfect and not awkward. The pearl of wisdom here: Our response can be, "The message was from God but He used you to show His strength and I appreciate your example."
"asking not for instant escape but for "enablement"--for strength to sustain the burden and do what we ought to do without the fear of man."
ReplyDeleteThis is a thought worth remembering when praying. I, for one, often pray for relief or answers instead of enablement. I get busy placing burdens in God's hands. Maybe, instead, we should ask Him to enable our own hands. A real caution for me would be this: when He does enable me, I'd have a tendency to be prideful over my new ability and not give the glory to God.
[Let me remember the Source of all strength ("The Lord is the strength of my life," says Ps 27:1 AV) and, cheered by the image of a human being in whom that strength was shown, follow his example.]
ReplyDeleteWow! What a fresh look at an awkward situation. How many times have you, or I, complimented a pastor or a presenter after an inspirational sermon only to have him say, "I take no credit ...give the glory to God." I've always understood the concept but knew there was something missing. If not, the moment would be perfect and not awkward. The pearl of wisdom here: Our response can be, "The message was from God but He used you to show His strength and I appreciate your example."