No matter what — God can…

 

Yesterday’s worship at our church was filled with blessings, so much so I feel again like God’s spoiled brat. The weather was perfect. The music incredible. The sermon matched my devotions and praised the wonder of God’s salvation. Communion always gives me the sense of a grand family reunion, and the church was filled.

Then, as people went forward to receive the bread and grape juice, one waved to me — a man who lived across the street from us as a boy and spent more time in our house than his own. How thrilling to see him in that place. Other friends, one who sat with us and had lived with us before going on a mission trip to Morocco. A family who came a year ago as refugees fleeing persecution and have become our family. The entire time filled with the sense of the Lord’s presence with us. How wonderful.

Then today I look at my prayer list. Wars and rumors of wars. A controversial election coming south of us. A friend with cancer. Another with serious heart issues. A family whose wife and mom died at age forty. Reports of children being brainwashed. A friend in danger of losing his sight. Many events needing the hand of God to give them meaning and grace. I hear Him whispering, “Back to work, my child” because the day of rest is past. And then He says this:

“What is impossible with men is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)

What a wonder that with less than ten words, the load is already lighter, yet I still must pray — for the events, for the people, for changes and grace, for meaning given to all who wonder if the Lord has forgotten them, and most of all and in it all that God is glorified. 

PRAY: Jesus, I won’t write all here, only to thank You for the freedom and ability to acknowledge when life feels like it’s too much. I’m glad the gospel calls me to hope not despair, to faith not doubt and worry, and to intercede with trust not in desperation or worse, in presumption.

I’m reminded how Mary was shocked at the thought of giving birth to you. She was overwhelmed yet she said, “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Her attitude in that prayer is what mine needs to be: trusting, yet not my will but thine be done, an attitude You expressed before going to the cross. Kneeling before You with a long list of needs is nothing compared to what You faced in that garden long ago.

Jesus, I need the resources you’ve promised and you alone can give. I want to lift up friends, but also millions of people who I may never know, but who desperately need You to bless their lives. I’m not certain of their exact needs in this life, but no matter what that might be, I know that all need You.

You are the God of the possible. The prodigals in my family and in other families are not too far away for You to bring home. The deadly illnesses are not too difficult for You to cure, or to use as a blessing and the way home. I need wisdom to pray in Your will for these and all that You put on my heart. Most of all, I desire that You bring glory to Yourself in every situation and get the credit for what You do. And a small PS: A few big surprises today would be just so wonderful. Amen.