Of course, I don’t mean the title of today’s post literally because God is loving, good, understanding e.t.c. and He is not prone to being easily irritated like we humans can be. But I sometimes wonder how irritated I would be, if I were God, and had millions of people asking me everyday for what I have already made available to them. Can’t you see? Can’t you read?? Are you deaf??? These are probably some of the expressions I would be spewing out in exasperation.
Even for those Christians who already believe that the Word of God is alive and active, speaking to them, there seems to be some kind of reticence to receive the things that we don’t have to ask for because God in His loving wisdom has made them available. The way I see it, there are some spiritual needs and blessings that we ask God for, and there are those that have been given to us and we just have to seek them out, like hidden treasures, to find and receive them. And then, there are those blessings that we have to enter into, by knocking upon a door that will always open at the sound of the knock.
Asking can be considered to be passive while seeking and knocking are active, indicating another level of desire for the objective at hand. The latter two build upon the former. So we can always ask God for forgiveness because we have been reassured that He will forgive as often as we ask; but we need to not only ask but also seek Godly wisdom by learning about God’s ways under divine inspiration (studying the Word of God under the guidance of His spirit). And each time we knock upon the Heart of Jesus, desiring to abide in Him in a deeper intimacy, or return into His fold like a prodigal child, we can never find a locked door.
In writing this post today, I want to focus on some of the blessings we are to receive because they have been made available already. Most Christians already know that they are to receive God’s promise to Abraham by faith (Gal. 3:14). But there is so much more in God’s Word that we can receive!!! Some people know where these blessings are in the Word or even know them by heart, while others have to seek them out. My all-time favorite has to be God’s promise of fresh mercy and compassion every morning (Lam. 3, 22-23.) I mean, how can anyone wake up in the morning and not quickly and verbally receive their own share of a fresh dose of God’s limitless mercy and compassion at the first opportunity?
I am personally convinced that this declaration of the receipt of new mercy every morning can make a difference in my day, and has indeed made a difference on many days. After thanking God for the privilege of another day of life upon waking up, I state something like: “Thank you God for your promise of new, fresh mercy and compassion every morning. I receive today’s dose of that divine mercy and compassion.” To the extent that I am able to intercede for family and friends by name, I stand in the gap to receive their portions for them, while praying that they will soon come to the realization that they need to receive this powerful generosity from God by themselves daily.
I also make sure to ask for a fresh anointing of that one thing I can never get enough of, God’s own Spirit, and the sensitivity to cooperate with divine guidance. To seek the mind of God and be able to discern circumstances and people the way God does, is an ongoing work in man that bears the fruit of Wisdom and Charity. To be able to even partially begin to see myself the way God does, (warts and all), keeps me humbled and grounded. (And certainly makes it harder to judge others!!)
Besides, the Holy Spirit is another blessing that we are readily given whenever we ask. After Jesus told the disciples to ‘ask and you shall receive‘, He declared that it was impossible for God to refuse His Spirit to anyone who asks because we humans know how to give our children good things, how much more our heavenly father (Lk. 11:12). It behooves one to therefore remind God of that promise and believe that the request for God’s Spirit or the help of the Spirit has a guaranteed positive response and to receive that blessing enthusiastically.
So what are some other things we can receive in faith because they are there in the clouds above us, given to us already, just waiting to be taken? The peace of Jesus, a supernatural peace that transcends circumstances, for starters. (Jn. 14:27) How about that yoke of Jesus that teaches us to be humble and gentle, and gives our souls a much-needed rest from weariness? (Matt. 11;29) Or the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God? (Eph. 6:17) Or that reminder of the characteristics of God’s Spirit in us when we begin to get fearful, that His spirit comes with power, love and a sound mind (2 Tim. :7). You get the drift…..
We need to go farther than just knowing these spiritual blessings by heart, we need to begin to stake our lives on them by prayerfully receiving them in full force and trusting that God stands by His promises. We don’t have to go on asking God for the blessings He has already provided for us. Just because He is not capable of being irritated or worn out does not mean we should keep on trying!!!!!!
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who has (already) blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Eph. 1:3)
The virtue you seek is there in the clouds above you, take it, wear it, put it on!!!! Again and again, as often as you need it, until it becomes a part of your character!!!!!
Hilltop Thoughts, Valley Strengths 