Day 30: Just Ask

Reading: Psalm 17:13-15

David asks God for many things throughout his life. This reading is absolutely no exception. David states that he will be satisfied with God no matter His answer. Though David faces strong challenges and great highs, he accepts God's answers. When we face a new day, coming before God to listen for His answers and to bring requests before Him is ideal. But we also need to thank Him no matter what the answer is He sends us. Just because we think we haven't heard from God, His answer may just be one we don't want to hear. Stay in tune with Him, and accept whatever answer He gives you. His plan is best for you in the end.


Reading: Matthew 20:20-34

This reading displays 2 requests of Jesus. The first is very bold. James and John's mother requests her sons have a significant place in God's Kingdom. Jesus respectfully tells her "no". He knows the significance of this, and the pain it will take to acquire this position in the Kingdom. Though the mother from Zebedee did not realize what sort of suffering this would take, she still asked. Another factor of Jesus' response is the motive of her request. She desired to have her sons sit on God's left and right was for their own lordship. This motive seems a little selfish.
This would tell us to check our motives, consequences and content of our requests before expecting a positive response. But we also learn from this story that asking God for our needs and desires is not too out of the question. Just don't expect Him to always say "yes".

Another request we see presented before Jesus in this reading is from the blind men. Jesus asks them what they would like. Though you think He would know, He still has them ask. Asking is a huge part of coming before God with our requests. Just because we expect God to know what we need or want is no reason to not ask. Our interaction with God should be like a relationship, not just waiting on a higher power. When these men ask for healing, Jesus has compassion on the men and they are healed. They get a "yes" to their request. The motive behind their request is that of proclaiming Christ is Lord, not to gain a position of power, like the last request we read about.


Reading: Job 15:1-18:21

We continue to watch Job's friends beat on him with their words as Job waits for an answer from God. The waiting can be brutal at times, especially when you are surrounded by people placing the blame on you, and offering no help but "hot air". Job himself calls his friends "miserable comforters". One thing we can learn from Job's friends is how not to be a friend.
But Job continues to hope and wait on The Lord to provide him strength and happiness again. The patience he displays is quite remarkable. Though Job has to sit through continuous, painful conversations with his friends, he knows that what he needs to do is wait on God's plan. Sometimes we can be impatient and make things happen ourselves with no direction. Though sometimes this works out, there are many unfortunate times it does not, and you wind up getting to where you need to be the hard way, because you didn't wait on God's way. One response God may give us to our prayers is "wait". And if Job can do it with the pitiful advice of his friends through out the process, you sure can too.


When we listen to God for His answers, there are many important things to remember. You have to ask Him. Don't just know He knows, and do nothing- ask! The answer you get may be the one you don't want to hear at the moment. Be sure your motives are right, and remember that God knows the ultimate plan. Your timing may be very opposite of His. And remember that waiting is important. Don't rush off and do anything in haste. God's timing is the right timing.