Ezekiel 40:28-41:26
James 4:1-17
Psalm 118:19-29
Proverbs 28:3-5
"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
How often have you had to say no to your child? How much did it hurt to see the look of disappointment on their faces, even hear their words of anger? And, as you refused them their request, how much did you wish they'd asked for something else, something good for them, so that the very love that prevented you from granting their wish this time would have gladly acceded instead?
The way James describes it, that seems to be exactly the way it is with God. He wants to give us good things - "if it is the Lord's will". He wants us to "come near to [Him] and He will come near to [us]". But He cannot, when we chase what we want for ourselves, instead of seeking what He wants for us. The psalmist agrees with James - he writes of the aspiration to "give You thanks, for You answered me". He declares that God wants to answer us.
What then should we do that we learn to seek what God wants for us? Perhaps we might begin by acknowledging our finiteness. Perhaps we should pretend not to know on our own what is good for us; perhaps even confess that we have no way of knowing what is to come - not even "what will happen tomorrow". Or that our lives have any guarantee of duration - for we "are a mist that appears for a little while, then vanishes".
When we confess all that, when we acknowledge our dependence on HIm, perhaps then we are transformed from the proud God opposes, to the humble on whom He shows favor. And then, perhaps, we might receive the spirit He jealously longs to cause to dwell in us, we might receive His grace. And then, like children who listen to their parents, we will know what to ask so that He will give - freely, abundantly.
Father, break us of the pride that leads to pretensions of self sufficiency and omniscience. Remind us not just of our imperfections, but the incomprehensible blessing we have in a perfect, omnipotent and loving Father who wants us to give the perfect good things only He knows we want and need.
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