September 24
“But many have not a living faith. This is why they do not see more of the power of God. Their weakness is the result of their unbelief. They have more faith in their own working than in the working of God for them. They take themselves into their own keeping. They plan and devise, but pray little, and have little real trust in God. They think they have faith, but it is only the impulse of the moment. Failing to realize their own need, or God's willingness to give, they do not persevere in keeping their requests before the Lord.”
Christ’s Object Lessons p.145
Trust is the issue here. Trust, and the desire to receive … now. One of the themes in our current chapter of Christ’s Object Lessons is that we need to persevere, we need to keep on praying for the Holy Spirit on a daily basis.
I was reading of the early days of the church after Pentecost and came upon these words, used to describe Jesus and His approach to prayer.
“His own example is an assurance that earnest, persevering supplication to God in faith … will avail to bring to men the Holy Spirit’s aid in the battle against sin.”
Acts of the Apostles, p.56
If Jesus needed that experience so do we. My experience is that trust takes time to develop, that continual request for the Holy Spirit and the daily reception of His gift will allow the trust to grow as we see God at work in our lives.
Can I reveal my own weakness here, but also an event that deepened my trust in God? The power company sent me an email asking for me to read the gas and electric meters. No problem, thought I. The meters were duly read and the results sent to the power company.
I wasn’t pleased to see that we owe over £1800 for our gas and electric. I had entered the wrong readings and could not do a thing about the problem. I had to trust God to sort that one out.
On Monday I was able to explain that my eyesight is really poor and I can’t see the meters properly. The lady on the end of the phone was helpful. Not only was she able to get the correct reading but she was also able to say that she would be able to reduce our monthly bill by a very significant amount.
If I hadn’t read the meters so badly I would never have spoken to the lady. I have this interpretation of the event. In my own small way, after a moment of panic, I was able to remember that God would look after our needs. All I had to do was exercise patience and remember that I could trust God.
He is trustworthy, so keep your requests before the Lord. Holy Spirit, people we are praying for, personal renewal – trust God, He will come through for you.
