Matthew 11:28 – [Jesus said,] "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest." (NIV)
I often think of the story about the farmer who went to borrow a shovel. My
children and I refer to this story often, when we see a similar situation
building and we or others are taking on a negative attitude.
The story goes that a farmer was in desperate need of a shovel, so he
entertained the idea of asking his neighbour to loan him one. The man walked
along to his neighbour's house deliberating as to whether or not the farmer
would lend him the shovel. At first he was positive, but then he began to think
of more and more reasons why the farmer would say no to him. He finally arrived
and knocked on the farmer's door, and when the farmer opened the door, he said,
"I don't want your blankety-blank shovel, so you can keep it if you are so mean
with your tools!"
Are we also like that man when we pray? Do we sometimes fear to ask God for
help, believing that He will find us unworthy of the request, or even worse,
that He is incapable of answering us? Or perhaps we are unsure of receiving a
positive answer, and we prepare ourselves to be disappointed by beginning to
believe that God will say "No!" Here is an example of this:
Isaiah 7:10–12 – Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, "Ask the Lord your God for a
sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights." But Ahaz said,
"I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test." (NIV)
Jesus says that there is nothing that we can't ask for in His name:
John 14:13-14 – And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father
may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will
do it. (NIV 2011)
If Jesus encourages us to ask, then why are we so convinced that we do not
deserve an answer? We all make mistakes, but Jesus always gives us another
chance. That is what His love is all about.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please forgive us for our reluctance to ask for Your
help. Asking can leave us feeling comforted and can also aid us in our
difficulty, but one of the better reasons for asking You to help is that it
gives You an opportunity to show Your glory and Your heavenly grace. Help us to
remember these things. Thank You. Amen.
Marilyn LaPierre Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
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