One of the things I've been pondering in recent weeks is the way
Jesus taught us to pray. This morning my thoughts go to the prayer He
prayed in front of Lazarus' tomb. "Father, I thank you for hearing
me. I know that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of
the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.”
(John 11:41-42 ISV) Jesus thanked God for hearing Him BEFORE He saw the
answered prayer. In this case it was a very serious issue - death!
In my experience it's not always easy to thank God in
the midst of what looks like death - whether we're talking physical
death, death of a dream - or even just the postponing of a dream! In Philippians, Paul reminds us to "in every situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers and requests, with thanksgiving." (Philippians 4:6-7 ISV) Can I truly make my petitions known to God with THANKSGIVING in all things? Only with God as my strength and shield can
that possibly happen!
The whole story of Lazarus is a thought provoking one. Jesus had told the disciples that Lazarus' sickness would not end in death - and then he died! What were the
disciples to think? Clearly they all believed the evidence of their
eyes rather than the words that Jesus had spoken. And given what I see
in the way I live my own life, I suspect I would have done the same.
And yet Jesus had spoken the TRUTH! Lazarus was RAISED from the dead!
Am I willing to trust my Heavenly Father enough that I believe what He
tells me rather than what I see with my own two eyes?
There are lots of things to think about as I think about this story, but in particular this morning, it is a reminder to me that I am to make all of my petitions known to God with THANKSGIVING. As the Thanksgiving holiday nears, it seems like an excellent time to focus on this. I have always used this holiday as a reminder to be grateful, and in recent years to thank various people in my life for the blessing they are in my life. This year I want to take it this step farther and remember even in my petitions to God to present them with thanksgiving.
Father, thank you for this reminder! I've seen in my life the difference it makes when I choose gratitude no matter what has crossed my path. It's so easy for me to forget that you are in control, but choosing gratitude requires me to remember that or I CAN'T make the gratitude choice! So, this morning, Father I once again choose gratitude. I ask your forgiveness for the "murmuring" I've done about the circumstances in which I find myself. I KNOW you are in charge, so these circumstances are for my good and I thank you. Thank you for the opportunities before me. And thank you for the strength and wisdom I know you are giving me so that with You in me I can meet the challenges I face. You are an amazing God, and I am grateful.
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This blog is simply a sharing of my "daily bread" - my daily walk with God. If something I've said has touched your heart, or sparked a new thought, I'd love to hear from you.