God’s Willingness

 ‘Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached Jesus. He knelt before Him, worshiping. Lord, the man said, if you want to, you can make me well again. Jesus touched him. I want to, He said. Be healed! And instantly the leprosy disappeared’ Matt 8:2.

One day, after a sermon based on 2 Peter 3:8, a little boy got home and prayed: “Dear Lord, our Sunday school teacher taught us that a day with you is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day. Is that true?” God answers “Yes son”. The child continues: “Umm, can I then conclude Lord that a dollar with you is like a thousand dollars and a thousand dollars like a dollar?” God answers, “True again”. The inquisitive lad then asks: “Lord…..can I have a dollar?” God replies: “Give me a day to think about it”. Sometimes we think we can cajole God to meet our needs or help us. We feel we have to arm twist God to get what we are trusting Him for. Most of the time we do not have reservations on God’s ability to help us, what we doubt is His willingness. We often ask ourselves…. “Am I good enough?” “Have I behaved properly?” As excellent as good conduct is, the reason God is more than willing to help us is because of Jesus. The reason we can partake of the inheritance of God is because of the finished work of Christ Jesus. In relation to our walk with God, there are 2 main extremities. The first set of people claim “once saved, forever saved”, and totally abandon their personal spiritual growth and responsibilities. The second set of people, and those primarily addressed in today’s devotional, are those who think it is by spiritual exercise God delivers us. However, we cannot manufacture or manipulate the move of God. We can only prepare for it. God is both able and willing to deliver us. In today’s passage, the Lord didn’t send the leper on a wild goose chase, but demonstrated His willingness and ability to save all who come to Him. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. As He was willing and able over two thousand years ago, so also is He willing and able to deliver you today. You need to stop giving God ultimatums in an attempt to get Him to speed up His answer to your request. Instead pay attention to the areas He is telling to you to work on. God is always willing but are you willing to let Him do a finished work in your life without your conditions?

Thought:  ‘Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope’ Eph. 3:20.