Leaning On Christ

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths.

—Proverbs 3:5,6

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Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee

—Isaiah 26:3

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Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

—John 16:24

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Ye have not, because ye ask not.

—James 4:2

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“What fools we mortals be.”

We live as those who are poverty stricken while we're wealthy.

The God of all the universe, omnipotent, omniscient, infinite, and eternal invites us to ask what we will.

But instead of taking Him up on His offer, we continue to depend on our puny abilities (or should I say, inabilities).

Our excuse is that so few of our requests are answered as we would like.

But James gives the real reason behind the reason: “Ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” (James 4:2,3) In the next verse he calls us adulterers and adulteresses who love the world more than God.

But He loves us too much, too truly, to grant selfish petitions that would harm us for time and eternity. He wants to give us only what is eternally good for us.

Now, what is eternally best for us is that we love God, Father, Son, and Spirit, and learn to depend on Him more and more.

For this reason it is well for us to ask Him for everything we want, first having submitted it to the proviso that we only want it if He wants it too, if it is actually eternally good for us and pleasing to Him. When we are asking Him for anything, it is well for us to remind ourselves to whom we come... to worship, praise, and thank the Almighty God who is totally able and willing to meet every need we have.

Moment by moment, whether we want relief from physical, mental, or emotional pain or danger, financial or relational difficulties, or aid with a project, protection from every threat, comfort in sorrow, help in spiritual need, salvation of the lost, or just the need of a parking place, we please the Lord when we bring them to Him.

We encourage the process of learning to be more and more lovingly, gratefully, submissively, constantly dependent on Jesus and the Almighty God who is also our loving, caring heavenly Father who loves to meet our needs.

And we grow in love with Him who loved us and gave Himself for us!

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