Pestering God

Yesterday our wonderful Sunday School teacher asked us to write the answer to this question: What do you want God to do for you?

No, I didn't write "Heal my cancer," even though I really would like that. I thought of 3 or 4 other things that are significantly more important than getting well.

For the rest of the hour he talked about people in the Bible who were spiritual pests--"tugging on God's sleeve" to keep on asking for their requests. It turns out that God likes that kind of impudence. For example,

Abraham (Genesis 18:22-23) appealed to God's character in begging Him to spare Sodom ("Won't the Judge of all the earth do right?").

In Isaiah 62:6, the prophet urges those who pray to take no rest and give God no rest until He fulfills His promises.

A foreign woman kept badgering Jesus to deliver her daughter from an evil oppression (Matthew 15: 21 etc) and He expressed delight in her persistence and her faith.

Jesus commended the man who pestered his neighbor late at night for food to give to hungry travelers (Luke 11:5 etc), and Tom made it clear that when we are praying for resources to use on behalf of the needy, God will be happy to answer.

Finally, Jesus told about a widow who gave a crooked judge no end of hassles in her quest for justice (Luke 18:2), and He said that God, the good Judge, wants us to be persistent in praying for justice for those who need it.

At least in cases like these, it's obvious that God wants us to draw close, grab on, be a "pest," and stick tight--like a loving Father who adores the child who won't let go, persistently asking for the thing she needs.

Sure, this morning I'm praying for God's help with the chemo and for the nurse to find a good vein. I'm also praying for deliverance for the oppressed, resources for the needy, justice for the misused, and for God to fulfill His promise that one day all nations on earth will love and praise Him.

Thank you so much for your love and prayers.

Carol