Nothing is too hard for God

As a parent, I can beat myself up for the mistakes I’ve made in raising my children. I sometimes see those former “persistent sins” in them. I can also focus on my better efforts, and even see results in my family, but realize I cannot take the credit. God gave them a heart for justice, a desire to do their best, a strong sense of right and wrong.

Last night someone quoted: “For years you must tell your children about God, but there comes a time when you must stop that — and tell God about your children!”

Abraham did just that. He said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” (Genesis 17:18) However, that prayer didn’t seem to be answered.

David prayed for his son along with the entire nation, yet those prayers were not totally answered either:

“I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you. O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that he may build the palace for which I have made provision.” (1 Chronicles 29:17–19)

Earlier, the young boy Samuel had a message from God about his mentor, Eli. God said:

“And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them.” (1 Samuel 3:13)

When Samuel told Eli everything, hiding nothing, Eli said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.” (1 Samuel 3:18)

In my extended family, there are ‘nice’ folks and a few involved in very ‘dark’ matters. Some seem religious but are enmeshed in false teaching. Most of them seem uninterested in Jesus Christ and the Gospel of grace. Can I do anything about it?

In today’s devotional, Fortner blames Eli that his sons perished, and blames Lot that his wife and others perished. He says it is right that we pray for our family members, but we must do all we can to teach them the way of salvation and whatever else possible to bring them into the kingdom of God.

I agree, but what about parents who are not Christians themselves, or have no Bible training, or who have unbelieving spouses, or who missed some of the important life lessons? Can they use any of that as an excuse?

For years, we stew about our shortcomings and blame ourselves, yet Adam and Eve lived in a perfect environment with a perfect Father, and they still sinned and hid from God. Being a good parent is to God’s glory, but it does not guarantee perfection in our own spiritual lives, never mind the lives of our children.

Eli was not much of a father, but he did accept the decision of God to punish him and his household. My mother did not teach me or my siblings much about God and my dad was old when he became a Christian, but three of the four are walking with Jesus. How did that happen?

I do not understand God’s decisions and choices, but am totally grateful that He can save anyone, regardless of their nurture or nature. A friend said she was not interested in God, church, or religion. She drove to a Christian camp to pick up someone who asked for a ride and wound up listening to the speaker. She was intensely drawn to give her life to Christ, even though she gripped the chair in front of her so hard that she nearly dragged it (and the man in it) to the front during the altar call. How did that happen?

People have been saved because of dreams, visions, turning on the radio at the right time to hear God’s message, and through all sorts of strange and unexplainable situations. God’s work cannot be thwarted. What He determines to do, even bad influences cannot stop.

It is not selfish to focus on family in my prayers, yet I know if they are saved, it is only because of the sovereign will of God by grace through faith in Christ. Like all others, they are children of wrath and deserve God’s punishment for their sin. But as Fortner says, if God saves my family, I will serve him with gladness, and if He does not save them, I will still serve Him with gladness. He is God; let Him do what seems good to Him.

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Jesus, I try to balance the reality of Your sovereign grace with the reality of missed opportunities. Most of the time, grace wins. I cannot reverse time; yet I can be obedient now. I talk to You about them, and when You give opportunity so I can talk to them about You, I do that. However, I know that if anyone is marked for salvation by Almighty God, it will simply happen. Nothing is too hard for You. May Your will be done.

Clinging

Concentration is next to impossible this morning. Areas in and around Calgary, Alberta are flooded. The large hockey arena in Calgary has seven feet of water in it. The nearby town where my sister lives has been evacuated. It is the worst hit. Flash floods have deluged the streets in several feet of water. Cars are floating. People have been rescued from rooftops by helicopter. My sister, her husband who must be on nightly dialysis, their two sons, wives and families are not answering their cell phones. None of the family has heard from them. Not knowing is almost as bad as bad news. 

This is today’s devotional reading:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah (Psalm 46:1–11)

At the front lines

Spiritual warfare means taking up the Word of God and using it to fight the lies of my spiritual enemies. This might be for my own sake since Satan continually tries to thwart my prayers by whispering falsehoods about God, my salvation, and my relationship with Jesus Christ. This war can also be for the sake of others, the ones for whom I pray. This week, it has been both. 
 

Tuesday brought amazing answers to prayer for our daughter who was traveling. It also brought a request from a frightened neighbor whose daughter was in labor with her first baby. Then I was given devastating news about another family member whose life has fallen apart. 

I rejoiced concerning our daughter’s good news, prayed with the neighbor for her daughter whose baby was eventually delivered by caesarean, and tried to pray for the needy one in the family. Then the war began.

Wednesday was rough. I felt so heavy that I could not pray. Every time I tried, distractions pulled me away. My mind was all over the place, and even when that was not happening, the telephone was ringing. In the evening, we visited the one in so much trouble. He was talkative and while obviously in need, we gained insight into his situation and were better equipped for prayer. 

Yesterday was better. After praying for a while, I was able to do my chores and carry on. However, my body hurt and I felt very tired. Besides that, it seemed that everything I did was a waste of time. I’d prayed, but still had trouble concentrating and again felt like I could not pray.

This morning God encourages me to focus. My duties and other activities are not important compared to this battle to which He calls me. It is God’s will that I do not go AWOL.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15–17)

Time-management experts would apply this verse to the chore list of the day. Those who are Christian would advise me to seek the will of the Lord as I tackle my to-do list. In other words, they think (as I have thought), that time management for Christians is about using biblical principles to plan my day. However, I’m now convinced this has very little to do with chores and priorities regarding temporal responsibilities. The convincing phrase is, “because the days are evil.”

 

We prayed for our daughter without knowing at the time that her safety was threatened by tornados. By a matter of minutes, God got her out of danger and protected her from that evil. 

I prayed for my neighbor because her daughter and the breeched baby was threatened in childbirth. God protected her from evil also. The surgery went well and both mom and baby are fine.

We are still praying for the other family member because he is now, and has been, in grave mental, emotional and spiritual danger. He needs Jesus. The evil one does not want him to realize that. Our prayers are a battle against his lies and destructive power. 

These verses say that the days are evil because they are. Satan is alive and well and walking among us. He wants us to fall for his lies, trust them (and him) instead of Christ, and never secure forgiveness and eternal life. Making the best use of time is about wisely finding out the will of God and praying, “Thy will be done” to combat that evil that threatens our spiritual safety.

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Lord, it is 9:00 a.m. and this battle started almost two hours ago. I’m already weary. While You care about safety in travel and in childbirth, something even greater is at stake in this war. You promise renewed strength to those who wait on You. You also promise that Your strength is perfected in my weakness. I am waiting, but I am also weak. Whatever else is needed today, Your strength is up at the top of the list. I need You, not so I can get the laundry done, or so I can rightly prioritize my chore list, but so I can do battle for the souls of those I love and those for whom Christ died. Please, empower me today.

Waiting — because I trust Him

After dozens of years of praying for the salvation of family and friends, I sometimes ask God for a little encouragement. Is He listening? Is He doing anything? Will these dear people soon know Him? When will He answer my prayer?

This morning God speaks to me about these questions. In my heart, I know that this is exactly what I need to hear. It is not what I expected, yet the comfort of the Holy Spirit assures my heart with these words . . . 

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! (Psalm 27:14)

As Spurgeon says, it may seem easy to wait, but this is a posture that takes years of training. Those who serve God would rather walk or march ahead than stand still. We want to see action, to know what God wants and when He wants it, then act accordingly. However, sometimes He is silent.

In this arena of unanswered prayer, I hover. Is the answer NO or is it WAIT? Will He say YES, and if so, when? Does He want me to do anything toward this answer? I look for opportunities to share my faith, to glorify God, to speak the truth in love. Yet the doors to all I could do or say are often closed.

In other situations, I am also uncertain. Do I flee the scene? Do I turn away to other things? Do I rush forward? When God says, WAIT I have sometimes felt more anxious and concerned, but as I learn to value His wisdom, then waiting is becoming less stressful.

However, waiting is not passive. I am to wait in prayer, calling on the Lord and placing my concerns before him. I tell Him my difficulties and plead His promises to help me. If I am uncertain which road to travel, I am to listen for His direction rather than rushing one way or the other. He is teaching me to trust His will — and His timing.

Spurgeon says that unfaithful, untrusting waiting is an insult to the Lord. Instead of twiddling my thumbs and feeling antsy, I am to believe that even if He keeps me waiting until it seems all is lost, He will answer at the right time. I am to wait in quiet patience, not stressed out by not knowing what God is doing.

I’m also not to complain against the second cause of my problems. That is, no matter what the source of my troubles appear to be, God is the first cause. To gripe about whatever seems to cause my problem or distress is to gripe against Him. I need to accept the situation as it is, then put it as it stands into the hands of Almighty God.

Spurgeon suggests praying in surrender and trust. He is right. I cannot force the hand of God even if I’m certain that what I ask for is in His will. I can only wait on Him and His perfect timing.

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Lord, as Jesus prayed I also pray — Not my will, but thine be done. I don’t know what You want from me. I want things to happen, and am anxious because You seem to not hear my pleas. Yet I know that You alone are the author (and finisher) of salvation. This is a job for You. I am the servant, not the Master. I must wait until You open hearts, drawing souls to Jesus, helping them repent and believe. I know that no matter what it looks like, nothing is too hard for You. You want me to wait in full assurance that You have heard my prayer and despite the lack of visible answers, that You care about these people far more than I do.

This is my job

Last week someone who had just retired from employment asked me if I’d known the freedom of not having to work. I replied that I didn’t have a job, and with tongue in cheek said that I was a “kept” woman.

However, this is not true. I do have a job. God gave me the calling to love and obey Him, which can sometimes mean much hard work. I could say there is no pay, but the retirement benefits are out of this world, but old jokes aside, the hardest thing that I do each day is pray. Often I don’t feel like it, procrastinate, and sometimes fail to show up for work, yet clearly prayer, particularly for others, is a huge part of my job description.

This week God showed me how selfish my prayers can be. As I was praying for God to save those in my family who do not know Him, I recognized that some of what drives me to pray is a self-centered desire that life would be much easier for me if they were Christians.

After confessing this to God, I felt sort of blank. Without that drive I still wanted to pray for them, but wasn’t sure how, so I asked the Lord to show me what He wants me to pray concerning them. As usual, He answers my questions from His Word.

The first passage that jumped off the pages at me is Isaiah 57:15, “For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’”

This section goes on to say that God does not contend forever with proud people because if He did, our spirits would fail. When we turn from Him, He will discipline us, but even when He does that, we tend to continue in our slide. However, He says that He will heal those who depart from Him and restore peace to their hearts.

I have to apply this first to myself. Pride cannot be part of my thinking when I pray. I cannot want my family to be saved so my heart can boast in what my prayers have done, or in anything I have contributed. It is God who saves, not me or my words and actions, and God who must get the glory.

At the same time, when I pray for them, I can ask God to recognize their inability to respond to Him. Pride does that to me, so I know that their pride is a huge barrier to knowing God. I can ask Him to humble their hearts and make them contrite before Him. He can do this with me so I know that He can do it in them.

The next verse that caught my heart is Isaiah 59:21, “‘As for Me,’ says the Lord, ‘this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,’ says the Lord, ‘from this time and forevermore.’”

God is speaking to Israel, but He also speaks to me. He promises that He will keep me focused on Him and His Word and even more, He will do the same for my children and their children. Can I claim this promise? As a member of His family, I believe that I can so I can pray that He will put His Spirit upon them and put His words in their mouths.

The next verse is 1 Timothy 6:12. It says, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

God tends to divert me from my questions about other people with direct commands about my own life, in this case, my prayer life, which is my job.

For this verse, my study Bible offers this footnote: “The Greek word for ‘fight’ gives us the English word ‘agonize,’ and was used in both military and athletic endeavors to describe the concentration, discipline, and extreme effort needed to win. The ‘good fight of faith’ is the spiritual conflict with Satan’s kingdom of darkness in which all (people) of God are necessarily involved.”

Essentially God is saying to me that how I pray isn’t as important as just doing it. I can ask for specifics as He reveals them to me, but I need to “get a grip on the reality of the matters associated with eternal life” so that I will live and pray with an eternal perspective. It is to this labor that I am called.