Day 7

THE ESSENTIALS OF PRAYER

"O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matt. 26:39

Sometimes God allows his children to learn from their mistakes because it is the most effective way. Israel's leaders insisted that their nation's problems could be solved by having a visible leader - a king - like all the countries around them. They forgot their advantages; no conscription of their young men into a regular army, no taxes payable to a leader and outstanding systems for justice and public health. God gave them their wish but warned of the adverse consequences (1 Sam. 8:7-18). Look up 1 Kings 10:25,26 then 12:1-14 and 21:1-16 to see how literally God's predictions were fulfilled! His people were blind in their determination to have their own way and refused to listen to Samuel (1 Sam. 8:19-22).

We all know how easy it is to be overwhelmed by our own desires. We seem to lose our perspective on the world and carry on stubbornly with our chosen course. The trouble is that we cannot see as God sees and we forget that he understands us and our needs better than we do ourselves.

When Saul of Tarsus was called by Christ (Acts 9), it must have put the deepest dread into the hearts of the church. Was it a clever trap? Was he trying to infiltrate their numbers and wreak even greater devastation? The disciple Ananias, appointed by God to set Paul on the road to service, was terrified and said as much (Acts 9:10-14). Yet he obeyed in spite of his fears and with what great results! Our Saviour made the same decision in Gethsemane and because of him we have the gift of eternal life! (Matt.26:39-45) How do we tell what God wants us to do? How can we put our own wishes and fears aside and choose his way?
My, God, thank you for Gethsemane. Give me courage and vision always to say, "Thy will be done" whatever the apparent cost since you have my best good at heart.