The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Do Good. Pray Well."
"When we cannot "do good," we seek to pray well. This means we approach the One who can always do something about the challenges of life."
In a fallen world of so much challenge, difficulty, pain, heartache, and heartbreak, we all encounter people whose problems we would love to solve, and whose troubles we desire to eliminate. When possible, we do so.
"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men" (Galatians 6:10).
The love of the Lord Jesus Christ leads born again believers to do what we can, when we can, where we can, and for whom we can, as led by the Holy Spirit. However, the needs of others often find us seemingly possessing no means to help. This is true, but not completely true.
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men" (I Timothy 2:1).
When we cannot "do good," we seek to pray well. This means we approach the One who can always do something about the challenges of life. Who can tell the "wonders without number" our Heavenly Father has performed when believers through the ages have drawn near to the throne of grace because our hands could find no way to help, but our hearts remembered the One of whom the Psalmist declared, "Strong is Thy hand" (Job 9:10; Psalm 89:13). This particularly applies to modern times, in which almost instant awareness of trouble around the world lies as near as a phone in the pocket for many people. We see and hear of things for which we have no way to provide help despite our hearts being stirred with compassion. Again, this may well be true of our hands. Our hearts and minds, however, can always do something. Or more literally, we can beseech the heart, mind, and hands of the One who is "good to all," and whose "tendermercies are over all His works" (Psalm 145:9). Our Heavenly Father beckons us to ask Him to do that which we cannot do, and to provide help by seeking His help.
Of course, we often ask the Lord to help people who do not themselves seek His help. This makes our requests all the more vital and effectual. Since God always comes with His provisions, His working to supply help may well have redemptive implications in revealing the Lord Jesus Christ and His saving grace. We can be sure it does, and pray accordingly. Indeed, whatever the needs about which we pray may involve regarding earthly matters, the Lord's help will always be most directed to the heart. Again, who can tell of the glories He administers and applies when our hands have no opportunity, but our hearts joyfully remember the Hands that do, and even more, the Heart that beckons us to seek its help for all.
"Pray without ceasing."
(I Thessalonians 5:17)
"And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men."
(I Thessalonians 3:12)
Weekly Memory Verse
With all thy getting, get understanding.
(Proverbs 4:7)
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