Demanding Doesn’t Result In Favorable Results

Demanding Doesn’t Result In Favorable Results

One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. He replied, . . . “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away. Matthew 16:1-2, 4

We all know people who demand instead of ask. They bully their way through everything. When my schedule is completely booked and patients can’t get an appointment, they show up at the registration desk and demand to be seen.

This behavior may work the first or second time they try it, but soon other people catch on. Their overbearing behavior wears thin very quickly, and the next time they try to push their way through the same door, they may find it locked.

We don’t like that kind of pushy behavior from others, but how often do we act that way toward God? In our prayer lives, do we demand rather than request? Do we make a list and ask God to supply us with prosperity, health, a great job, and a new relationship?

God is not a genie in a bottle who gives us three wishes on command. Our prayers should always be humble ones. We should pray for God’s will, not our own. He wants to bless us, but not necessarily on our terms.

Sometimes, when we’re so focused on what we want, we can be ignorant of what a blessing even looks like. We ask for something, and God says, “I have something better for you.”

He wants all things to work together for the good of those who love him, within his perfect will, and that should be our prayer as well. Continue to persistently knock on his door in prayer, but rather than pushing through, wait for the Lord to open it and give you his answer.

TODAY’S RX

Demanding treatment we think we deserve could mean missing out on the blessings that God desires to give us.

Lord, help me to approach you out of reverence and respect. After all, you are the Lord of lords and King of kings. May I be patient in lifting my prayer requests up to you, waiting to hear from you in your perfect timing.