In Deuteronomy 3 we read about Moses pleading with God to allow him to enter the land. Once again the Lord says no to Moses. Moses' request was based upon a proper theology as he describes God's character, but the request was out of line. Moses knew that he would not be allowed to go into the land because of his sin in striking the rock when he was told by God to speak to it.
Moses at this point accepts God's answer and knows that he must stop asking. If we keep on asking when we know the answer is not one that we want then we forfeit the joy and freedom that should be ours. Moses based his request on the glory and character of God but there still was an element of self in his prayer. Too often today we don't base our requests on the glory and character of God but on our own selfishness. We want comfort more than God's glory.
I just finished two days of prayer and fasting and during that time I asked myself the question, "What is the purpose of doing this?" Now before you brand me as a new age pagan, let me explain.
The first answer, and it should be a sufficient answer, is that it is commanded of us in God's Word. So if there was no other reason than that, I would do it but there is more. God is more than able to carry out His will and purposes in the world without our prayers and our fasts, but just as God was gracious to Moses in allowing him to see the land so God is gracious to us in allowing us to bring our prayers and fasts to Him. Our prayers, our fasts should never be to manipulate God or even to think that we can change God's mind by doing this. If we were capable of changing God's mind in any way and by any means then we have put ourselves in the place of God. God has said that He will not share His glory with anyone.
No comments:
Post a Comment