“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
In Thomas H. Taylor’s 2004 book Behind Hitler’s Lines, we read of the time soldier Tom Buff was given a compass just before heading out on the D-day invasion of World War 2. The soldier who gave it to him believed it would assure him success. “Tom,” his friend said, “this is a lucky compass. It’s been through North Africa, Sicily and Italy.”
Sometimes we make the mistake of viewing our prayers as good luck charms—a guarantee that we will get what we’ve prayed for. John MacArthur explains in Lord, Teach Me to Pray (2003) that the Lord’s Prayer doesn’t allow us to use prayer in that way. “So God’s model for prayer teaches us first to get in harmony with the divine purpose. Once you understand that, you won’t trust God as if he were some utilitarian genie who is stuck granting your wishes because he promised you riches in Christ.”
Consider this: “Does our faith rest on having our prayers answered as we think they should be answered, or does it rest on the mighty love that went down to death for us?” (Elisabeth Elliot, 1990)
Sometimes we make the mistake of viewing our prayers as good luck charms—a guarantee that we will get what we’ve prayed for. John MacArthur explains in Lord, Teach Me to Pray (2003) that the Lord’s Prayer doesn’t allow us to use prayer in that way. “So God’s model for prayer teaches us first to get in harmony with the divine purpose. Once you understand that, you won’t trust God as if he were some utilitarian genie who is stuck granting your wishes because he promised you riches in Christ.”
Consider this: “Does our faith rest on having our prayers answered as we think they should be answered, or does it rest on the mighty love that went down to death for us?” (Elisabeth Elliot, 1990)
Scripture Focus
Matthew 6:7-13
Insight
As we grow in our trust of God’s perfect design for our lives, we concur with C.S. Lewis who said, “I want God, not my idea of God” (1961).
Bible In A Year
- Numbers 19-20
- Psalm 71
- John 12
