A “Wisdomous” Request

If you missed the post last week, I hope you’ll take some time to read it (A “Wisdomous” Wish), but you won’t be lost if you start here.

I’m not sure about your kids, but mine seem to constantly be asking for something they either need or want. From wanting roller skates all the way to asking for a snack – right after lunch, the requests seem to be never-ending. I get frustrated on occasion because I’ll be trying to do some reading or writing (I’ve been interrupted no less than a dozen times writing this) and my focus is diverted to helping with schoolwork or giving permission for a snack – or not because it’s right. after. lunch. As frustrated as I may get with the kiddos, they really are easy to be around and communicate with. I would rather them express their desires than be left guessing.

Of course, as is usual, this got me thinking about how God deals with us. The movie, “Bruce Almighty”, was hilarious (and inappropriate) – and it showed fairly well that God is constantly being bombarded with wants and needs. In my limited human mind, I tend to wonder if He ever gets a break. I do know that it’s not the way Jim Carey’s character, Bruce, portrays it – it’s never a “Yes” to all. Not all of our requests are in line with His promises (II Corinthians 1:20). I also know that God is not only okay with us asking for things (needs and wants alike) but He heartily encourages us to do so.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests…” Ephesians 6:18 abridged (NIV)

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.” I John 5:14-15 (NIV)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

Even when our kiddos were still in the womb, we talked to them, prayed over them, and once they were born, that didn’t stop. With our first child, I read everything I could get my hands on in regard to language development. It’s said that one of the main reasons a child bites is because they get frustrated with not knowing how to communicate (one opinion at least). We did simple sign language (please, more, food, water, thank you, etc.) and spoke the words as we signed. In no time at all, the words started to take over. With our now 8yo, her “please” and “thank you” back then came out as “peas” and “pee-Q”. We want them to communicate with us. We don’t just want to teach them to use good manners, but we want them to express their needs, wants, dreams, ambitions, and even their fears.

As a parent, if your child is sick, we not only want to take away the sickness, but we want to restore them completely to a greater strength than before they took sick. Instead of providing just a sandwich for lunch, we balance it out with apple slices, celery sticks, and Goldfish crackers. We give ketchup with french fries, ice cream with a spoon, and popcorn on our family movie nights. We don’t just meet the need and call it good, but we typically try to exceed the expectations. And we want to give them good things. No juice cocktail with the 30% juice; we go for 100% juice, am I right? We want to bless our children, and we hope and pray that they will, in turn, grow to be a blessing.

A recent favorite story from the Bible for me is found in Joshua 15:16-19. Caleb, because of his faithfulness and “different spirit”, was promised and rewarded with land for he and his descendants (Numbers 14). Leading up to chapter 15 in the book of Joshua, Caleb requests the land God had promised him 45 years before. His request is granted. Upon taking over the land, he gives a portion to his daughter and her husband. Then we see something interesting. His daughter, Acsah (or Aksah), goes to her father, gets off her donkey, and he asks what he can do for her…

“She replied, “Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.” Joshua 15:19 (NIV)

She was given a gift of land, but she went to her father and asked for more. On first glance, it’s easy to surmise that she must have been spoiled or ungrateful for what had already been given to her. She could have been given the land and taken the gift for what it was and left it at that. But for those details to be included in scripture, I know there’s a purpose.

From beginning to end, the Bible is a picture of God’s love and grace towards His creation. From Adam and Eve being clothed by God all the way to the finished work on the cross, God’s heart has been to provide for our every need. Sometimes this is giving us the tools so that we can put those tools to use. Acsah received a gift of land from her father, but then requested more land with springs of water. Without water, the inhabitants of her land would suffer. And in line with God our Father, Caleb responded with not just the upper springs, but also the lower. He went above and beyond her request.

Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection was the ultimate gift. What more could we possibly need? Wasn’t it above and beyond what we could have hoped for? Of course it was! It’s perfectly fine to see the shelter, food, and clothing we provide for our kids as enough, but the majority of parents out there go above and beyond – birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, just because, and extra-curricular activities (notice “extra”). Even ketchup to go with the fries.

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

God delights in us. As you can see in just the few scriptures I referenced above, God wants us to ask for more than what He’s already provided. God has given me so much and it’s too great to even think of trying to list. There have even been times of great protection and rescue that I’m oblivious to. With everything He has blessed me with and blessed me for, I still ask of Him. My personal prayer request is for wisdom. Acsah was given land, but she asked for more. I have been given immeasurably more than I can ever comprehend… yet I ask.

The Bible doesn’t tell us that Acsah approached her father with trepidation or with feelings of unworthiness. She approached as his daughter. Because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross, I can approach as a daughter of the Most High God. (Ephesians 3:12, Hebrews 4:16).

Boldly approach the throne of Grace. Let your requests be made known to Him, and watch your land thrive with the springs of water that were the above and beyond goodness of God.