"You do not have, because you do not ask." James 4:2b
Eighty-one year old Clarence Blackmon is an Army veteran. Blackmon also has
cancer.
Recently, upon returning to his North Carolina apartment after a hospital stay,
Blackmon found his cupboards were bare, as was his pantry, his refrigerator, and
freezer. With his stomach making earthquaky sounds, he contacted local stores,
but they refused to deliver until he had made a deposit, something he was
physically unable to do.
In desperation, Blackmon called 911. Talking to dispatcher Marilyn Hinson, he
said, "I can't get out of my chair. What I need is someone to get to the grocery
store and bring me some food because I need to eat something."
Hinson might have given Blackmon a lecture on the proper use of 911. She might
have told him that he should contact some local food banks. She might have
encouraged Blackmon to hire a taxi, which could stop and pick up the groceries
for 115-pound Blackmon.
Hinson did none of those things.
No, what Hinson thought was this: he's hungry and I've been hungry. Remembering
her tough times, Hinson went out, bought and delivered the food herself. The
story of Blackmon started to make the rounds. Soon more groceries began showing
up. There was enough to fill his shelves and be shared with the local food
banks. But there's more. A home nurse was scheduled to show up twice a week to
make sure Blackmon is okay.
According to the doctor, the nurse won't be calling on Blackmon for too long. He
has been given less than six months to live. To that he replies, "... the doctor
doesn't know, and I don't know ... only God knows and I thank God I'm still
here."
Now this is the point in the devotion where I'm supposed to give you something
to think about. The problem is there are so many ways we could go. For example,
we could talk about Jesus' words, "Even as you have done good to the least of
these, my brethren, you have done good to Me" (see Matthew 25:31-40). Or we
could spend some time discussing Paul's statement: "I have learned the secret of
facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him
who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:12b-13).
Instead, I would like to point out Blackmon has groceries because he asked for
them. In that spirit I call your attention to the text at the top of our
devotion. James is quite blunt when he tells his fellow believers, "You don't
have because you do not ask." We may sing, "Take it to the Lord in prayer," but
all too often we forget to ask the Lord for specific things we need. True, in
such matters we most certainly ought to pray, "Not my will, but Your will be
done" (Luke 22:42b).
But we also need to remember that the Lord, who sent His Son to do all that was
necessary to forgive and save us, is also waiting to hear our prayers, which
praise, thank and, yes, make requests of Him.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, it is right and proper for us to come to You in prayer.
You are our Creator, Benefactor, Redeemer and Guide. In large matters and small
may we make our requests known to You. In the Savior's Name I ask it. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved; not to be duplicated without permission.
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