How would you respond if someone you knew prayed like this:
Lord, if you give me that sweet job in marketing, and hook me up with a new car with sweet rims, and let me get married, and let me live a long, prosperous, and mostly happy life, then I’ll follow you.
My guess is that you would sit them down, slap them around a bit with scriptures concerning the Lordship of Christ, and then give them a three point sermon on praying according to God’s will. You certainly wouldn’t expect God to answer such a prayer, right? Neither would I. But then again, I wouldn’t have expected God to answer the lamest prayer found in the Bible either. But he did.
In Genesis 28:20-22 Jacob makes a vow to God, saying:
If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.
Here’s the crazy thing: God answered Jacob’s “Deal or No Deal” prayer. He was faithful to Jacob even though Jacob didn’t give half a rip about God. God relentlessly pursued Jacob for the purpose of pouring out blessing on Jacob. Finally, after years of being chased by the goodness of God, Jacob surrendered.
Now, let me make a simple connection for you. God was faithful to Jacob because of the promises he made to Abraham. Jacob was identified with Abraham, and so God was relentlessly gracious to Jacob.
If God was that faithful to Jacob, how much more faithful will he be to you who are in Christ? Today you are in Christ, united with Christ, identified with Christ. Because you are in Christ, God is committed to pouring out his grace on you today. As you go to work, sit at your desk, wait in traffic, or sit in the classroom, the goodness of God is hunting you.
That’s pretty good news isn’t it?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
“the goodness of God is hunting you.” What an encouraging thought. God doesn’t suddenly remember me and just give me a little blessing on a passing whim. He is pursuing me and my heart and He sees all of my needs and desires and then blesses me according to His Sovereign will. What a wonderful God we serve!
“Today you are in Christ, united with Christ, identified with Christ. Because you are in Christ, God is committed to pouring out his grace on you today.” Thank you for this indisputable reminder! So often I try and find reason why I don’t deserve God’s favor (which I don’t) and not expect blessing, because I don’t deserve it. (Stupidest thing to do, btw!) But, His favor is poured out because of my merit, it’s because I’m identified with Christ. Wow! That is so cool. I’ve entered into a very busy season at work and it’s the perfect reminder. Thank you so much!
Hey Stephen!
What an enormous thought, that God is pursuing us! Unworthy, unappreciative sinners like we are and yet God in His grace decides to not only pursue us but bless us as well!
I am truly thankful that God is faithful to us, even when we are so very unfaithful to Him. Thanks be to Jesus who has opened a new and living way for us, He is worthy of all of our praise!!
Thanks for such an encouraging reminder.
Blessings
Ron Reffett
Wendy – I agree. Isn’t it good to know that God doesn’t just “toss us a bone” every now and then. His goodness pursues us!
YellerDaisies – I think so often we forget the incredible truth of our union with Christ. So glad the reminder was helpful.
Ron – I’m so grateful as well. What a kind God we serve.
God is so good to us. He is faithful always. I don’t know why I always doubt it…I was thinking about this difficult situation that I’ve been going through over the last few months, and the Lord just showed me that I was drowning in this well. Usually wells are good things–they provide water to people in deserts. And my trial has been with something that most people consider to be good. But I was idolizing it, and I just saw myself drowning, and the Lord standing there, extending His hand, saying, “Do you trust Me?” By the Lord’s grace, I think last night I finally surrendered and can say I trust the Lord in that area, and the peace in my heart is incredible :] Thank you for the very timely post, Stephen!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life… Ps 23
yes without god we can,t do any thing. i pray to god that each and every child give a happy and propserity.
I always watch Deal or No Deal on TV, what an exciting show and i love the briefcase girls too.’-,