What Will You Give Me?
What are you praying for today? May we join you? Send in your prayer request today.
“After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ But Abram said, ‘O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’” (Genesis 15:1-2 ESV)
God had so much in store for Abram. He was going to change his name, and then make him the father of the nations. His descendents would be as numerous as the stars and they would be called the children of God. Abram was a major step in the process of restoring the relationship God had once shared with His people before the Fall.
Eventually from Abram’s seed would be born Jesus, the Messiah, who would fulfill that process. God had chosen Abram for all of this. But, Abram could look no further than his own wish to be a father. He said to God, “If you can’t grant me my heart’s desire then I don’t want anything else.”
Sound familiar? Is there something you have been fervently praying for which God has yet to give you? Are you so concentrating on getting that one thing that you are missing the big picture He offers? If so, then you may fall into the same trap Abram did. He tried to intervene with his servant Hagar and usher things along. “God said I could be a father. I’ll just help Him out by doing it my way. Surely He will bless that. I’m doing His will, right?” The result was Ishmael, not Isaac. Arabs and Jews have been in conflict ever since. They are still battling over God’s favor and promised land.
Too often we hear a message we know is from God—in a dream, in a sermon, in a hymn, from a friend—that seems to be an answer to prayer. We take it as a resounding “Yes”, then dash off to grab it without waiting for the instructions of how to obtain it God’s way. There may be steps He wants us to go through for our own good. But we jump the gun, then wonder why it turns out wrong. “But, God, I was so sure. . . .”
Or, like Abram, we are so bent on receiving that one thing, we miss out on all He is trying to give us along the way. We’ve squinted our eyes so tight in wishing we don’t see His presence in our lives and the little blessings He provides. Like a pouty child near Christmas we whine, “If you love me, really love me, you’ll give me this.” We miss the small ways He shows His love to us all the time.
We ask, “What will you give me?” instead of “Thank you for loving me so much to give me _________. You fill in the blanks. Think of the blessings starting with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and ending with the last breath you just exhaled. Daunting exercise, isn’t it? If you can only come up with two or three, pray for God to reveal more to you. Then trust He will. It may take a while, they are so numerous.
Perhaps if we all concentrated more on His grace and mercy, and were thankful for what He has already bestowed upon us, then we’d be a step closer to receiving not so much what we desire, but what He desires for us, which is far better. And along the way, we just might get our “Isaac”—that which we so desperately wanted. Then, like Abram, even if God asks us to give it back to Him, we will have the faith to say, “Yes, Lord. Thy will be done. I trust in Your love and promise.”
Questions: What are you asking God for right now? Do you think you should also ask Him what He wants for you?
9 Responses to “What Will You Give Me?”
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What Do You Fear?
What do you fear, and why? Is it holding you back from realizing your full potential?
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You are so right Alfred! HIS ways are not our ways…. for without difficulty we would not have developed our dependance on Him. The hotter the fire in the kiln the finer the china! and it’s the same way in our relationship with God.
Alfred,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. With a well of emotion coming from the throat as I read your post, I thank you. A total stranger to me has taken his time to care. God bless
Like Mary and Sharon, I’m also a “fix-it-person”, but I’m content to mentor only part-time. My biggie is to build a green-house with a root-cellar basement as an addition to this home. This summer it will be a patio-deck, and next year the green-house with a root-cellar. What can I do “to let go and let God…” I’m pushing harder because my wife is (not yet) supporting me in this. She knows I’m called to be a part-time mentor, and she supports my woodworking and carpentry. Maybe the home renovations are coming too slow for her? I’m too young and active (at 75) to go into a senior’s home, but I also know this project will never be completed unless God makes a way for it. Oh God, please help me to be at ease while I wait for your signal to proceed! Also, if You have something better in store for me, then give me the desire for exactly that! Thank You, Lord. Amen.
Now to respond to some of the various comments of the past 3 days:
Barbara, your desires put my earthly striving to shame. To lift up someone who is suffering an ordeal similar to what you just did, is always God’s way of helping someone. Often one is most useful while healing is still in progress. I think your faith that He will see you all the way through is already bringing you joy. You say it may take a miracle to bring you victory! I’m praying that your miracle continue to come, and God will be glorified! Thank you for sharing that.
Like DiAne Gates, I was “going my way” for years. After my Spiritual turn-around, God “restored to the years that were wasted”. That I really appreciate! The sad thing, however, is that I can see the effect on our children that actually did not have a daddy that took enough interest in them during those formative years. I am not punished as much for my sin, as by my sin! Lost relationships are slow to rebuild, AND misdirected lives I just have to lift up to God for Him to work on. There I am, talking about myself again. You DiAne, are waiting before the Lord, as we all need to do. Thank you for telling us about those unwanted manuscripts! Your present writings are, no doubt, the richer for that!
Kanj,as you become quiet before Him, as it says in Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God”
He will help you to replace anxiety with trust and thankfulness. Just let Him come to you, for He may be closer to you than you realize. So, I pray with you that God will show you what He’s got for you. No doubt you are a chosen vessel through whom He wants to be (and already is) a unique blessing to many. HIS ways are not our ways…. for without difficulty we would not have developed our dependance on Him.
I am asking God to be patient with me. I am aware of the brick wall between us at this time. ”God, what is it You want for me?” amen
good article and wow for the question, piercing, because i am asking God to be a full time mentor and prayer person for people, like you mary i am also a fix it person, but i have to remind myself that i can’t but God can
Julie, boy did this smack me right in the heart. Long ago I knew God called me write and just like you said I darted ahead, not pausing to find out how. Just opened the typewriter and cranked it out. Needless to say my rejection pile grew as did my file cabinet with unwanted manuscripts. Years later, when I finally asked God “How am I supposed to get this done?” He was ready with the answer. Wasted time, trapped in needless despair and frustration, all because I didn’t “wait before the Lord.”
At this time i am asking God for a break through in a particular area of my life so I might be of help to others that are treading through the same ordeal. I am asking to come out Victorious in HIS power, might and streangth so those that are held captive to the same hardship may find hope, encouragement, and victory too in my living testimony of God unsurpassing love. A once MESSED up life being transformed into a vital MESSAGE of hope and possible MIRACLE in someone elses life. “What will He give me?” All I desire and want to hear is, “Well done my good and faithful servant. Here in heaven is your reward and crown.”
This devotional pierced me with deadly accuracy. I am too focused on specific desires instead of focusing on an intimate relationship with God. I would understand Him and what He wants for me soooo much better if I just relaxed with Him and spent more time with Him. Thank you very much Miss Julie for your love and obedience.
Wow! Right between the eyes! I’m a “fix it” kind of person. I constantly need to remind myself that my “fix it” nature was built into me by the one who created me. He is the only one who can truly “fix” anything. Thanks for reminding me again.