Some people pray only in a crisis. They have a "quick fix" mentality that sees God mainly as a problem solver. When merciful solutions come, He is courteously thanked, then more or less forgotten until the next crisis.
The story is told of a young rich girl, accustomed to servants, who was afraid to climb a dark stairway alone. Her mother suggested that she overcome her fear by asking Jesus to go with her up the stairs. When the child reached the top, she was overheard saying, "Thank You, Jesus. You may go now."
We may smile at that story, but Psalm 106 contains a serious warning against dismissing God from our lives – as if that were possible. Israel took the Lord’s mercies for granted, and God called that rebellion (v.7). They developed malnourished souls because they chose to ignore Him (vv.13-15). What a lesson for us!
Anticipate great things from God, but don’t expect Him to come at your beck and call. Instead, be at His beck and call, eager to fulfill His will.
Like the little rich girl, ask God to accompany you through life’s dark passageways. But instead of dismissing Him when your special needs are met, cling to Him as if your life depended on it. It does!
– JOANIE E. YODER
If we pray with sinful motives,
Then our heart is far from right;
We must seek to know God’s bidding –
What is pleasing in His sight.
– DENNIS J. DE HAAN
READ: PSALM 106:1-15
God is not a vending machine.