What shall we ask God to do?
J. R. Miller, The Glory of the Commonplace. We do not know what
we should pray for as we ought." Romans 8, 26. A minister sat
with a father and mother by the bed of a child who was hovering
between life and death. He was about to pray for the
little sufferer and turning to the parents he asked, What shall
we ask God to do? After some moments the Father
answered with deep emotion, I would not dare to choose, leave it
to God. Would it not be better always
to leave the decision to God, letting Him choose what is best
for Him to do for us or to give to us? We are not in the world
to always have ease and pleasure, to always succeed, to do great
things. We are here to grow into strength
and beauty of life and character, to accomplish the will of God,
and to have that will wrought out in our own life. Oftentimes,
the present must be sacrificed for the future, the earthly given
up to gain the heavenly, and pain endured for the sake of
spiritual refining and enriching. Christ does not seek to take
away the burden. Rather, He would make us strong
and brave to bear it. If we are willing to let God
choose for us and accept what He gives, we shall never fail
to receive the best. Perhaps not what the world would
call the best, but always God's best. We do not know what we
should pray for as we ought, and we had better leave it to
God. We should be content to leave
the guidance and choices of our lives in His hands. Think how
wise He is, knowing all things, knowing how to choose the best
for us, who does not know that this is better, safer, wiser,
than if we were to choose the way for ourselves. The truest
prayer is oft times that in which we creep into the bosom of God
and rest there in silence. We do not know what to ask, and
we dare not say even a word, lest it might be the wrong word.
Hence, we simply wait before God in quietness and confidence. We know that what is best, our
Father will do, and we trust Him to do what He will. We are sure that God could relieve
us of the things which are so hard for us to bear, could, if
He desired to. This is God's world, and nothing
can get out of His hands. All we have to do is to lay our
needs before the throne of mercy and to let God answer us as He
will. A beautiful story is told of
a devout home in which were twin boys who were greatly beloved.
In the absence of the father, both boys suddenly died. When
the father returned, not knowing of the sorrow in his home, the
mother met him at the door and said, I have had a strange visitor
since you went away. Who was it? asked the father,
not suspecting her meaning. Five years ago, his wife answered,
a friend lent me two precious jewels. Yesterday he came and
asked me to return them to him. What shall I do? Are they his? asked the father, not dreaming
of her meaning. Yes, they belong to him and were
only lent to me. If they are his, he must have
them again if he desires." Leading her husband to the boy's room,
the wife drew down the sheet, uncovering the lovely forms as
white as marble. "'These are my jewels,' said
the mother. "'Five years ago God lent them
to me, and yesterday He came and took them back again.' Going
a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed,
My father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me,
yet not as I will, but as you will. Matthew 26.39 O my father,
if this cup cannot pass away from me unless I drink it, may
your will be done. Matthew 26.42 The Lord's will be done. Acts
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