‘Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany…’ John 11:1 NKJV
The third lesson is about relinquishment. As long as you believe you can handle the problem on your own, you will not reach for the miracle-working power of God. You have to be in a situation so bad that you pray the prayer of relinquishment: ‘Lord, I’ve done all I know and things aren’t getting any better. So I’m through trying to fix it. I turn it completely over to You. I don’t know how You’re going to handle it, but I know You love me and want only what’s best for me. So here it is, Lord; it’s all Yours.’ This is not a prayer of defeat, it is one of total trust. David wrote: ‘Though I am surrounded by troubles…the Lord will work out His plans for my life-for Your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever…’ (Psalm 138:7-8 NLT)
The pastor of a great church tells of running out of money when they were only halfway through the construction of their new building. The congregation was growing and there was no doubt that they needed the extra space. But the bank wouldn’t give them any more funds. So the pastor prayed and said, ‘Lord, personally speaking, I don’t need this big building. I already have a place for all my children. You need a place for Yours. I don’t know how You’re going to take care of this, but those are Your kids, Lord, so I’m turning it over to You.’ God answered, the money came through, and within a few years they were worshipping in a beautiful building, debt free. So give your problem to God and don’t take it back!
SoulFood: Gen 5:22-24, Heb 11:5, 2 Kings 2:1-12, Acts 1:9-11
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright 2011
