Thoughts for Another Day 

May 31, 2011

Today's verse: 2 Chron. 16:7. And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)                                                                                    

Three days ago, I was speaking to a lady belonging to our prayer group who of late has been off-color and sickly.  She spoke to me about her problems and the anxieties plaguing her, she was humble enough to also say that it's wrong in His sight to be worried and she wanted to change.  So she asked me to pray that she be given faith.  In the course of our discussion she asked: 'why is God not answering our prayers?'  Just before this, as I was asking her to rely on God to help her in her sickness, she told me that she abides by the doctor's instructions and takes her medicines daily without fail.

Now see the irony in this: we have a fantastic equation with God - when it's possible for me to do something, I don't bother with God, for as someone said, 'why bother God for small things.'  Also there's the adage, 'God helps those who help themselves'.  Wonderful no?  Utter nonsense for anyone knowing God knows that He is interested in the whole of us – small, medium, big, whatever.  Besides, if we know how to help ourselves why should God help us?  In His mercy He may but should He?  So I told this woman that she should be focused either on God or on others not both for with God it doesn't work that way.  Now what I am saying will disturb most because in many instances of diseases or other difficulties we approach doctors or others who can help us and we also pray.  The difference is, who do we place our trust in? Is it God alone or the others?  It's an inside thing and at times even we aren't sure.  But God knows our inner thoughts and also whether we're depending on Him or someone else. 

Our Scripture today hails this point magnificently.  What Asa did in human ways wasn't wrong.  But see what the prophet tells Him.  The message is clear:  Either trust God or don't trust Him.  Our lives shouldn't sail in two boats; it's dangerous.