Ye Have Not, Because Ye Ask Not - Mike Walsh
 

I have not, because I ask not. Don't get me wrong, I pray but is it effective? Is it all it could be? Praying for my children's salvation, my marriage to be an example, forgiveness, thanksgiving, praises, etc. is all great. It is all as it should be. But...

Is that what God had in mind with Hebrews 4:16 though? It says, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

 

Boldly. If I look through my Bible and study it carefully I can see that God has a will. I can see clearly what the obvious boundaries are of God's will for everyone and everything. I can see guidance on seeking His specific will in my life or His spiritual gifts that He has placed within me (I already know it isn't singing, don't worry ;-) )

 

According to these two verses that I mention here, I am missing out on a blessing here, I believe. I haven't gone boldly to the throne of grace and asked my Heavenly Father who loves me more than I will ever understand (even with me loving my own children so dearly!) for guidance. I haven't asked him for the "good stuff". I ask him for requests for my church family, for sick family members, for "stuff" and He often answers. He answers in ways I can't fathom often and that is great!

 

God has great plans for us. He has a great purpose for each of our lives, heck I feel my tear ducts moving just typing those words. It isn't because I know what His plan is for my life. Its because I truly believe He has one and He knows it. His glory is that purpose. His glory will result if we can be open to the plans. Maybe it is a harvest of souls who will spend eternity in Heaven because we have allowed ourselves to truly reflect His light. Maybe it will be encouragement to a believer in a down moment and that encouragement produces a Billy Graham or DL Moody. Maybe it is fervent prayer for a missionary doing great work. Whatever the means, the ends of the perfect plans God has for us is His glory.

 

We so often miss those perfect plans (ask Moses about that! ask David or Solomon about that - again the tear ducts stir, but don't spit thinking about how close these men were to God, how much they did but wonder what more they could have done if only they allowed themselves to be a part of that plan!)

 

I have been likely missing that perfect plan in my life for the 9 years of my Christian walk. I am sure I have come close at times, my family is a tremendous blessing. Rachael's profession of saving faith two weeks ago is a blessing indeed! Faith Bible Institute allowed me to read the Bible through and have many central doctrines explained. Yet I still sleep in, struggle with knowing what God would have me to do. I still struggle with sins, the same stupid sins that I have struggled with in the past. I still let pride get the best of me. What am I doing wrong??

 

I am not going to the throne boldly. I am asking God to be my partner in my plans and my life really. Notice those "my's"?? In my heart I'm trying to make back room deals with God. I am trying to map out a future for myself and then asking for a blessing on it. That isn't boldly asking God for His will! That is weakly asking God to let me do what is right in my eyes. Asking God to help me live according to His will but as it relates to my will.

 

I am going to be really looking at Psalm 126 this week. I am going to be really looking inside this week and I'm going to start having bold requests. That doesn't mean "pay off my mortgage, give me a lake house, etc. It does mean to ask Him to restore the joy of my salvation to me. To ask Him for help in making Him truly my first love. To give Him myself to do whatever He wants through me - for His glory.

 

Why do I share this? I started typing out a simple thought that convicted me and might convict others - We have not, because we ask not. I don't share any of these thoughts to brag (either through the plans for my week or some sort of false humility type of bragging with where I am stagnating). I share them because I can't be the only person not seeking His boldness when I pray. I can't be the only one whose prayer life and plans are constrained to a small bubble around our house, family and friends... I share this inviting you to join in asking God to move mightily in your life for His glory...
 

This world is falling apart. This nation is falling into sin so fast. We can't be isolationists and be greedy with the Holy Spirit in our lives like I've been doing. I think the first step in letting our light truly shine and reach others is to ask God to help us smash the earthen jars covering them = the jars we've created ourselves, at least I did. It was only 9 years ago that I asked Jesus to make my life right but some of the specifics of the memory are rusty. Even still, I have vague memories of being so excited about it. I wanted to share it, I wanted to digest as much knowledge and Godly wisdom as I could. We all need that excitement for the Lord if we are going to be useful, I think.Many in my church posses that, I want to be added to their ranks. Want to join me?