"Concerning the work of my hands command ye me" Isa. 45:11
Our Lord spoke in this tone when He said, "Father, I will." Joshua used it when, in the supreme moment of triumph, he lifted up his spear toward the setting sun, and cried, "Sun, stand thou still!"
Elijah used it when he shut the heavens for three years and six months, and again opened them.
Luther used it when, kneeling by the dying Melanchthon, he forbade death to take his prey.
It is a marvelous relationship into which God bids us enter. We are familiar with words like those which follow in this paragraph: "I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded." But that God should invite us to command Him, this is a change in relationship which is altogether startling!
What a difference there is between this attitude and the hesitating, halting, unbelieving prayers to which we are accustomed, and which by their perpetual repetition lose edge and point!”
Streams in the DesertMrs. Chas. E. Cowman
Boy does this hit home with me! I offer up the wimpiest prayers imaginable. Over and over I whine to God in a voice I am certain he is tired of listening to! Today, fortified with devotions and a cup of coffee, I will command the Lord - as He has commanded me!
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This is such a conflicting thought for me... to command God.... yet, I can see how our Biblical fathers did and the results... How can one summon the courage to "command"? Ah, there is the question... Thought provoking, Sandy!
ReplyDeleteIt's an uncomfortable thought to me, too, Matty. But I decided to apply it to my prayers today. And I have to say there is a difference in my attitude after having made my "command" instead of my usual plea! Maybe as you commented there is more faith/courage inherent (or summoned) in a command.
ReplyDeleteI echo Matty's thought. Kind of seems like a spoiled child making demands on her father. I'll have to give it a try and see if I experience a change in attitude also.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! Really liked "and which by their perpetual repetition lose edge and point!” So true!
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