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Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.
“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to Him and said to Him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking” (Mark 10: 35 & 38).
You’ve gotta laugh, right? I did. Perhaps because there have been times I have been just like the sons of Zebedee. I’ve looked to Heaven, hands clasped tightly and honestly said “Lord, I’ve been good. I have served You. I have tithed. I have prayed for others and read my Bible. Now – when will you give me my desires. What will it take?” But over the years, I have learned that God’s blessings are not based on merit. Otherwise, how would any of us ever be worthy enough?
There was a story I once heard:
A man was dying and he and St. Peter had a talk. St. Peter said, “In order to come in through these Pearly Gates you need 100 points.”
The man said, “Okay. I taught Sunday school to the youth for 25 years.”
St. Peter said, “Good. One point.”
The man looked perplexed. “And, I spent one Saturday a month helping in the soup kitchen, and I went on a mission trip to Mexico for two weeks, three years in a row.”
“Very good. Two more points.”
“I read my Bible every day.” The man added, sure that would up his score a bunch. But again, it was only one point. In desperation he said, “How does anyone get in here, for Christ’s sake?”
St. Peter smiled, put down his pen and said, “Exactly.”
We don’t really understand what we ask, because our view of what we think we need is so limited compared to the loving God who sees past, present and future. The sons of Zebedee wanted the glory, thinking they had earned it. They didn’t understand the sacrifice Jesus was about to make, or that through that sacrifice, all would have the opportunity to be with Him in Heaven soon enough. They didn’t grasp that they could never on their own merit earn entrance into the Kingdom, but that soon, this Jesus they had followed would earn it for them by His death.
James 4:3 says it is a nutshell: “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” Yes, in the Book of John, Jesus promised if we ask it will be granted to us, but only if we ask it in His name, which means the way He would ask. We know how Jesus asked. Scriptures says so: “Thy will be done.”
It is better to ask “Lord, what can I do for You?”, instead of “God, what can you do for me?”, knowing and trusting in faith that He will provide what is best for each of us. That’s one lesson I am still learning.
Question: What is the motive for most of your prayers?
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What we want in life is not always what GOD wants for us. I continue to ask for GODS will to be done in my life and not my own because GOD knows me better then I know myself and he knows whats best for me. I may not understand what GOD is doing in my life at that moment in time but I know that whatever GOD does he does it with perfection. So i will always continue to put my faith in GOD and not get caught up in everything thats going on around me or in my life because I know that if GOD brought me through things in the pass he will continue to be with me always.
It took me so long to accept Gods will, I always felt it meant nothing I desired would come to pass, and through the years I’ve learned and I’ve grown, and I slowly realized that Gods will is a million times better than any one of my desires will ever be, took a long to accept that , but I do , and whatever He wants for me , I want for me , too. “Jbadwan”, dont listen to lies, lies, lies, you are not a failure. Lord loves you, is pleased you, you are the apple of His eye!!! thats good news !! Begin to see yourself like He sees you :)
Thank you all again for another wonderful devotional. ria, I could have written what you said word for word. I wonder how do ppl survive without His Holy Counsel, and without prayer and daily submission… And to the author’s point: Q: “What is the motive for most of your prayers?”… A: My answer is that we’re selfish humans,but as a born again Christian, my “motive” now is to glorify my Lord.
I am so thankful for all the different areas this ministry covers. Todays topic really hit home. For years, I was the one who everyone depended on. As I got older, I was the one who took the reigns and made sure it got done. I’m 44 years old and it seems habit takes over. Now, I have to stop myself at least 20 times a day and say not my will but yours Lord. I haven’t yet been able to make the desires of my heart and mind match my actions. I really am struggling and feel like a failure every day.
I always like to end my prayers with..”if it be your will”. I fell like I ask for things that I want and not need at times, I have to humble myself daily. I repeat to myself “its all about Him and not about me”. I accept the will of God in my life, I just ask for the strength and courage to carry out what ever He has planned for me.
Be blessed
Hello Julie,
Yes ..past mistakes are always when I thought I would make the choice and I would know better..how short-sighted of me. The best decision is the one Jesus has made for me. He is My Lord,my King and humbly I ask His will..for I know His Love surrounds me with graciousness and comfort..