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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Devotional: Protesting God

NPR last week interviewed some protestors in Washington D.C who were mad that their voices were not being heard.  The reality, though, was that they were being heard, they were just being disagreed with.  They were so convinced that their ideas were the only logical solution that they could not fathom that someone would disagree with their position.

In a similar manner, we often approach God with the same attitude.  We figure if we pray for something and it does not come true then God must not have heard us—or worse, must not care.

            This feeling of not being heard by God is a constant human emotion, and the Bible provides multiple examples:  From the Israelites in the wilderness wondering why God would have led them into the desert, to Job on an ash-heap crying out to God, to the eleven disciples huddled in a room wondering what to do now that their God had died.
            The truth is that God does hear our every prayer and he knows our every need, but there will be times when he responds in a radically different manner than we would want.  The hard part about being told "no" is that we then have to submit our desires the will of God, trusting that His plan is better.

Eugene Peterson's translation of James 4 says, "Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves.  You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.

 You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to."

What protests have you labored against God recently?  How does it make you feel that God would not answer your request?  Where do you find the confidence that God cares, even if he does not respond affirmatively?

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Are you serious? God hears every prayer and knows all our wants?

Please..You sound delusional. The reality is that there is no evidence that god exists.

You should put your hopes and aspirations in the hands of humanity. It will benefit us all a great deal if you do.

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