The Rewarder
One of the hardest things about waiting is the trial of
faith. The tempter comes close and whispers that prayer and patientce are
useless. We hear a hiss of accusation from the shadows saying that God either
doesn't care or that our own inadequacies make us unworthy of His attention.
Have you ever been there? I certainly have. Looking back, I
can see Satan's prints all over such thoughts as these and sense again the dark
nights of loneliness brought on by listening to such whispers.
I also see the cunning skill of my enemy for if he can get
me to listen-even for a moment-to such suggestions, he can close the door
between heaven and my soul.
The author of Hebrews lists the two requirements that are
absolutely necessary before anyone can approach God: (1) we must believe that
God is real and (2) that He cares enough to reward those who seek Him. So, when
the way gets rough, it is often good to pause and ask ourselves how firmly our
faith remains rooted in those two concepts.
Do we still believe
God is real?
The routine of daily living can dull our sensitivities.
Marriage partners drift into taking each other for granted. Children that were
once our joy become our chore. Gratitude dissolves into restlessness. Even the
wonder of God's reality slips out of focus as day by day mundane routine forces
an awareness of Him into the background.
It may be days ago or years ago that you placed your
petition before God. Do you still believe that a real Being out there can
actually hear you?
If that belief has slipped, perhaps it is time to reevaluate
why you prayed in the first place. What made you hope He was there? Remembering
may give fresh wind to your spirit. Is the world here by chance? If you have
drifted into thinking so, spend a half-hour contemplating the nearest tree.
What about the second requirement for those who approach
God? As you wait, do you believe He will answer? At this level of faith, God
becomes personal. It is not just that God can
answer prayer, but that He is willing to answer your prayer.
As Jesus drew His sermon on the mount to an end, He invited,
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek
and you will find. [ . . . ] What man is there among you who, if his son asks
for bread, will give him a stone? [ . . . ] If you know how to give good gifts
to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good
things to those who ask Him?" [1] Do we still believe that? Failure to
believe is to question the character of God.
If the enemy is whispering to you this week, go back to the
Word. Remember why you first hoped in His reality. Remember His character and
His loving assurances. Jesus has His reward with Him [2] and He will reward
YOU.
[1] Matthew 7:7-11, edited
[2] Revelation 22:12
