The other week I spent a wonderful 5-day stretch speaking to a group of 200 elementary and Jr. High students. Monday the first grade class created a box so that the students and staff could fill it with prayer requests. They pasted Bible promises on the outside and then each day we all brought our prayers requests and stuffed them in the box. On Friday the box was full and we sent it up to God in smoke, making a statement that we trust Him to take care of our burdens.
Two verses in the Psalms were on my mind last week as I pondered their significance. They stated that God laughs at His enemies and holds then in derision (Ps. 2, 59). I got the answer...God "laughs" because the harder His enemies make it for Him (or any of God's children), the more God will be glorified. A more difficult situation in the hands of God, only introduces greater glory.
"The greatest victories won to the individual Christian or to the church of Christ, are not those gained by talent or education, by wealth or the favor of man. They are those victories gained in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power." (Patriarchs and Prophets)
Fill your box...
...and burn it.
posted by holamickey | 7:06 PM
5 Comments:
That's a really special service you did there Micheal...I'm so glad that Jesus always has the victory!! He's got everything planned out from start to finish and He's patiently waiting for us to "call" on Him for His strength, love & protection. Thanks for sharing...
As I read this post, the thought occurred to me that at times when we bring to God our hopes and dreams in prayer, He asks us to lay them on the altar – to offer them up to Him. As we see them rise in smoke we might wonder if we will ever see them realized, but they rise to God like sweet incense – the prayer is heard – and the fulfillment will be given at the right time. Those ashes become the ink with which He writes our beautiful future story. Amazing!
Elizabeth - You are right... the One who cares the most about us wins! Sounds like you have had a week to remember.
Staci - wow, I enjoyed your reflection. I hope you are feeling "chipper" again.
A great and vivid illustration of how we can trust God with our prayers. Someone once told me that the smoke from the Altar of Incense (i.e., our prayers) doesn't just ascend to God, but continues to linger around His throne as a perpetual reminder, until He sees fit to answer. Keep the smoke comin'. Two more weeks, man! Look forward to seeing you.
Tanto tiempo...
Que cierto es que Dios ya tiene todos sus planes para nosotros... Y que bueno saber que cuando los tiempos tienen dificultades, Dios esta arreglando todo y que cuando lo tengamos en nuestros vidas, ya tenemos la victora! y podemos alabarlo porque ya gano la victoria para nosotros!
Te vas? ... Si no nos vemos en Andrews, que Dios te bendiga mucho.
Post a Comment
<< Home