Pensees: Preposterous, yes, but planted by God

Preposterous, yes, but planted by God

Disclaimer: From time to time when enough water has gone under the bridge and I feel I can share journal entries without risking the appearance of maudlin exhibitionism, I like to post thoughts that have penetrated my soul during my own spiritual journey in the hope that it will encourage brothers and sisters in their walk. Thus, the occasional “confession.” I only wish they were as deep and eloquent as Augustine’s!

From the Journal

Date (______________):

Prayer is audacious. To ask anything whatsoever as a sinful people from a Holy God is heady. It would be outrageous except that God has put it in our hearts to pray. In 2 Samuel 7:20 David asks, “Now what more can David say to You? For You, Lord God, know Your servant.” Then, based upon what God said, David makes his bold prayer (vv. 25-27): “Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer unto You” (v. 27). In his wildest dreams he could have never come up with such spectacular ideas. “Is this the manner of men?”

It started with “Who am I?”

To commune with God one must come humbly. “Who am I?” The claims of justification — love, joy, peace, communion, answered prayer, strength — are preposterous claims for mere mortals. Especially those who, though justified, still sin. But God puts it in our heart to pray. No prayer is really an effectual prayer until we can truly say, “Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to You.”