Papa!
Some years ago I was taking my granddaughter Susie on a
walk when a couple of homeless men came walking toward us.
Their scruffy appearance made her afraid. In her little
mind, she thought she was about to be harmed. She was
already holding my hand, but instantly I felt her push her
body into mine as she grabbed onto my pant leg. "Papa!" she
whispered. Of course, I put my arm around her and said that
everything was going to be all right. The men passed us on
the sidewalk without incident.
Inside, my heart was brimming. That instantaneous (reflex of
reaching out for my aid meant that she thought could handle
anything and everything. This was a more precious gift than
any sweater she would ever give me for Christmas. She showed
that she had a deep faith in me. I would come to her rescue.
I would meet her urgent need. I would take care of her.
That is the very thing that delights the heart of God When
we run to him and throw ourselves upon him in believing
prayer, he rejoices. He does not want me out on my own
trying to earn merit stars from him. He wants us, rather, to
lean into him, walking with him as closely as possible. He
is not so much interested in our doing as in our receiving
from him. After all, what can we do or say or conquer
without first receiving grace at God's throne to help us in
our time of need (Hebrews 4:16)? And all that receiving
happens through faith.
Cymbala, Jim. Fresh Faith. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan,
1999, p. 48, 49.