Friend or Foe

 

So I am not promoting beer drinking, but have you seen the commercial where the king of the castle sees ships approaching and he gives the command to prepare to fight the enemy?  The trumpets sound and the banners fall signaling the enemy is approaching.  Immediately, one of the king’s men tell him that the ships are not enemies, but visitors.  The king promptly gives a new command, the trumpet sounds and different banners declare to welcome the friends.

 

Yes, it is sort of a “chunky” commercial.  But sometimes we get confused in the same way about God.  Is He our enemy or our friend?

 

Prayer:  God, today, teach me more about what you are like.  I want to know the real you and how you feel about me.

 

Grab Your Bible:  Read Luke 18:35-43. (Remember Luke is one of the four Gospels that tell the story of when Jesus walked the earth.)

 

  As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. ³⁶ When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. ³⁷ They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

³⁸ He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

³⁹ Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

⁴⁰ Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, ⁴¹ “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

⁴² Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” ⁴³ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

 

So what happens in this story?

What was Jesus doing?

Who got his attention?

What did he ask Jesus to do?

What was Jesus’ reaction?

What did the man do afterwards?

 

So you decide:  God, friend or foe?

 

God knows what you are going through.  He cares for you.  While He many not always answer your prayer just the way you want, He is completely faithful and completely loving.  You can always, always, always trust Him.

 

Prayer:  God,  You are my God.  And You are my God.  You are faithful to always have my best in heart.  I can trust You.  Help me to trust You like the blind beggar did.  If you can heal a blind man, you can handle all my problems and anxieties.