Cries of a Curious Follower

Perhaps a little amateur devotional today . . . my thoughts given freely—keep your pennies (they don’t make them anymore!)

First: Ask, Seek, Knock. Those are our instructions. We’re told by Jesus that the Father in heaven loves us deeply and will not swindle us or placate us. He will give us what we need.

Second: Later, the writer of Hebrews indicates that it is impossible to please God without Faith. We’re told that he who comes to God must first believe that God is (makes sense!). With believers that I meet, that part seems to be easy enough. But he goes on to say that we must also believe that He is a rewarder of those who continually seek Him.

Third: Jesus tells us that sometimes we have to pray like the woman who daily showed up to beg the unjust judge for her desired outcome (justice). That story plays out to show she finally just wore him down and he gave her what she wanted just to get her out of his hair.

All three of these accounts put together teach us something. Much like a hologram you pick up and look at from different angles to get the truth of the matter.

I’m forced to review my view of the Father here. And that cannot be a simple theological Q&A. It means I must search my soul to determine what I really believe.

It is not as though when we petition God that we are approaching some mafia boss, corrupt politician, or unreachable King. After all, the Word became flesh–He came down to our level since we could not access His. And that’s partly the message here: I have the ability according to Hebrews to enter into His throne room boldly because of what Jesus did.

It’s not usually the belief in God that trips people up; its the “rewarder” aspect of those who diligently seek Him that tends to do it. If I want to please God, I must believe in Him and that He is who He says He is. He is a loving Father who knows what is best for us.

What, then, is this business about Jesus telling us sometimes we have to pray like that lady in the crooked court room? What’s the point? It is not as if we are trying to persuade Him by our persistence, is it?

That does seem to model some of the parenting in this country…wear down the parents and you’ll get what you want just so they can have a moment of peace!
But that is not the picture here at all. Many have discussed this over the last 1800+ years and I doubt I can add much to that discussion. I will say, for what it is worth (keep your pennies!), that I believe that God often rejects our initial requests for various reasons, including “be careful what you ask for.”

Something happens in the asking: God compels our hearts to expand in order to adequately receive what He wants to give. This has happened repeatedly in my life when I approach Him in proper belief and surrender.

In ancient Hebrew thought, we must “darash” Him and grab ahold of the horns of the altar until He shows up. In this concept, it is not that the petitioner will get exactly what he wants; rather, he is seeking audience and refuses to leave until he is granted such.

The original “holy rollers” (Methodists, believe it or not), preached this kind of determination. The early Pentecostals called this “praying through.” Well, whatever you want to call it, the theme is very clear in all three of the examples above: We are the seekers and He is the one sought. That requires faith and often persistence.

So don’t give up. In fact, pray past your own comfort! Pray past your “flesh.” Pray without ceasing. Change your perspective by freshly surrendering again today. Approach Him through Christ boldly, and then sit at His feet and let it all out.
Seeking with all our hearts is not that we might change God. It is that we might be changed. Don’t give up. Be determined. Go daily. Appeal to Him. Sit with Him. Join Him. After long, you’ll not recognize yourself or your life.

Seek encounter with the Living God! Jesus is the door. Walk through.

Believe, Follow, Trust, Stay, Grow, and Live.