Day 28 - Dear God, Help! (Reflections)

I have a true Father.  The Bible reveals a God who cares more, gives more, teaches more, and disciplines better than any earthly dad.  

What does my Father want from me?  Love.  Here is God, my Father, who has promised to meet all my needs.  

If He is truly God, then He knows my needs better than I do.

He knows my next ten days, ten years, and ten centuries better than I do.

He knows my family, my job, my mind and heart far better than I do.

At times, I think it's pointless to pray, cause He already knows it all, He has it all, and He does it all.

However, here is a Father who wants me to pray.  Commands me to pray.  Teaches me to pray.  Rewards me when I pray.  Develops my mind, heart, soul, and relationships when I pray.

I can take breaks from prayer, but deep down, I know that this involves great risk.  

I'd suggest you read Philippians 4:10-19.   You'll see that famous verse, "I can do all everything through Him who gives me strength."  

For better or worse, this verse gets hijacked and mis-understood by people in all walks of life.  The athlete who wants to win more or get stronger.  The executive who wants a bigger market share or paycheck.  The student who aspires to write books or ace medical school.

Yes, God gives abilities and strengths to all of these... but that's not what this verse is talking about.

In these paragraphs, Paul shares that he has learned - through the ups and downs of life - that a relationship with God is all you need.  

He's been forced to learn that during times of brokenness.  He's been placed in situations where only God could provide.  Only God could rescue.  Only God could answer.  Only God could give hope.  

Few Americans are ever "forced" to brokenness in a lot of ways... except when you have a broken heart over the loss of a loved one, loss of job, or loss of health... 

That's when the athlete will see a God who can do everything.  That's when the up-and-coming student will learn what truly matters and lasts in life.  That's when the CEO can experience, learning first hand the truth of Philippians 4:19-20, which we end this day's journal with...

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.  Amen."