But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Job 16:5 (NIV)
| Handing Over by Cathy Vinson |
"Dad, can I have the car keys?"
Did you ever consider what is being enlisted in this request? Not only is a set of car
keys being called for, but the car itself. Not only the piece of steel, but the
responsibility of the teen's own life is given over, his peers and whatever countryside he
choices to visit. It is a profound handing over of the father. When we "ask," it is from a suppliant to a greater. When we are in turn "given (epididomi)," it means not only "given," but to give OVER (epi-over). He is putting something over into another's hand. In Scripture this special word is used in Jesus' handing over of the broken bread to the two in Emmaus (Lk 24:30), the institution of the Lord's Supper (Mt 26:26), and delivery of a letter (Acts 15:30). Yet another nuance of this word brings to light what receiving from God is all about; it also means "to give way to." Consider its use in the following passage: "The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along" (Acts 27:15). As the ship gave way to the strong headwind and instead travelled with it, apparently the Father of Christ accepts our asking as such...a headwind. To us it's feeble asking, to Him the welcomed asking of the children who in His Son He loves. Our asking, so dear. Why? Because we have the kind of Father who esteems it so. Our asking is such to Him that He would actually defer to its strength! So let's ask. Be encouraged that our desires put into requests are more irresistable than we think. "For everyone who asks...." (vs 8) |
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| "Ask, and it will
be given you..." (Matthew 7:7) |
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Send a note to Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion.
Other Whispers from the Wilderness Devotions are found HERE
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