Avoid bad request !

Thursday April 15, 2021

Avoid bad requests !

“You don't know what you are asking.” Matthew 20. 22

James and John once came to ask Jesus to grant them the best places in His kingdom. They didn't just want the seats that offered the best view of the show. What they wanted above all was to occupy the preeminent places of power ! Jesus replied : “You do not know what you are asking.” Later, when villagers refused Jesus entry to their village, His disciples asked : “Lord, do you want us to order fire to come down from heaven and consume them ?” There again Jesus reproached them for daring to ask this. If even the closest followers of Jesus were thus mistaken in their requests, how much more can we be mistaken too ! Fortunately, God loves us too much to grant all our requests. Would you really trust Him if He continually accepted your every requirement ? The typical bad request is : “Lord, couldn't You improve the character of...” With all human relationships, there comes a time when someone begins to say this prayer that has nothing to do with it. altruistic ! If we were honest we would openly say : “Lord, I don't want to make efforts to overcome my own shortcomings nor to try to understand his character traits, much less to progress myself in maturity, then the only solution what remains for You, Lord, is to work on your personality and to improve it !” Do not be surprised if God gives us a categorical no. If your requests go unheeded, perhaps they themselves are the source of the problem. Are you looking for an excuse not to change yourself ? Are you trying to put the other down without realizing it and put yourself on a pedestal ? Whatever the reason, God will not answer a bad request. And when you have acquired more spiritual maturity, you will give thanks to God for refusing to listen to you !

Source (His Word for Today)