By: Pastor Johnie Akers
James 4:3, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss. . .” I remember years ago as a child, listening to a program on WSGS radio in Hazard where Santa read letters written to him, with the wish lists from boys and girls for Christmas. I remember writing Santa a letter myself and was so excited when he read it on the air. With that in mind, I once read of a small boy who was writing a letter to God about all of the Christmas presents he wanted. He began his letter with the following remark: “Dear God, I’ve been a very good boy for six months now. . .” After a moment of reflection, he crossed out “six months” and wrote “three months.” He paused, and then crossed out “three months” replacing it with “two weeks.” There was another pause and then another erasure. Finally the boy got up from the table and went over to a little nativity scene, his father had placed in front of the Christmas tree. He picked up the figure of Mary, took her to his room, and locked her in his closet. He then returned to his writing and started again: “Dear God, if you ever want to see your mother again, you had better give me the following presents. . .” (My, my, that certainly takes extortion to a new level.) As humorous as the story is, it illustrates a flaw in our thinking when it comes to receiving from the Lord. Our prayers often sound as if we’re the little boy starting out his Christmas list: “Dear God, I’ve been good for six months. . .” When, in fact, we know better. Not only have we not been 100% good for six months, but reducing the basis for us receiving from God to our “goodness” is erroneous thinking. We receive what we receive from God based solely on His mercy and grace, not for anything we could do to earn or deserve it. We do good, not to earn “brownie points” with God, but simply because we love Him. No Christmas lists are needed. No letters or prayers of extortion are required. It is all predicated upon His grace and His goodness. This is the foundation for receiving God’s blessings in our lives, not just for Christmas Day, but every day can be the gift of grace He has provided it to beas a new day.
Source: Stephen Arterburn and Bill Farrel, The One Year Book of Devotions for Men on the Go (Tyndale House, 2004).
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