Today’s Devotion
Topic: You Don’t Know What You Are Asking For!
Text: Mark 10: 35- 40
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us, whatever we ask you.” Amen
Two of Jesus’ disciples who are also brothers, went to Him while the others were away and pre-conditioned Him to do WHATEVER THEY WERE ABOUT TO ASK HIM.
Now that is a very unfair position to place the all-knowing and all-wise Sovereign God. What if He has a better plan? What if the request leads to destruction, must He grant it anyway? Why will they not simply ask whatever they desired and leave the Lord to decide whether to grant it, correct them, or offer something better?
Anyway, Jesus, knowing how limited we are in understanding eternal things, did not rebuke them out rightly. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” (Mark 10: 36- 37)
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” (Mark 10: 38- 40).
Dearly Beloved, how often have we not petitioned the Lord like the sons of Zebedee just did. Knowing very well that our request is either selfish or outside the will of God, yet we try to “lobby” like a child fakes tears for whatever they want, whether good or bad.
You see, although the brothers had faith and were prepared to go through whatever there was to go through to have their request granted, the Lord revealed a very great Truth that all believers must note: All things are subject to the Purpose, Design, Plan and Will of God. We cannot “lobby” our selfish desires with God.
According to scripture, the only time God answers everything we ask for is if we remain in Him and His words remain in us (John 15: 7). Remaining in Him means accepting His Sovereignty and Lordship. His words remaining in us is a sign of submission to His Will. With these conditions fulfilled, every request will be met because it will seek the interest of God.
Meditate on this word and begin to pray. Ask that you remain in God even as His words abide in you. That way, you will not pray amiss. God will do nothing outside His Word.
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