Be careful of what you ask for

[Christ4Ever]

"And he requested for himself that he might die." 1 Kings 19:4


​

It was a remarkable thing that the man who was never to die, for whom God had ordained an infinitely better lot, the man who should be carried to heaven in a chariot of fire, and be translated, that he should not see death-should thus pray, "Let me die, I am no better than my fathers." We have here a memorable proof that God does not always answer prayer in kind, though He always does in effect. He gave Elias something better than that which he asked for, and thus really heard and answered him. Strange was it that the lion-hearted Elijah should be so depressed by Jezebel's threat as to ask to die, and blessedly kind was it on the part of our heavenly Father that He did not take His desponding servant at his word. There is a limit to the doctrine of the prayer of faith. We are not to expect that God will give us everything we choose to ask for. We know that we sometimes ask, and do not receive, because we ask amiss. If we ask for that which is not promised-if we run counter to the spirit which the Lord would have us cultivate-if we ask contrary to His will, or to the decrees of His providence-if we ask merely for the gratification of our own ease, and without an eye to His glory, we must not expect that we shall receive. Yet, when we ask in faith, nothing doubting, if we receive not the precise thing asked for, we shall receive an equivalent, and more than an equivalent, for it. As one remarks, "If the Lord does not pay in silver, He will in gold; and if He does not pay in gold, He will in diamonds." If He does not give you precisely what you ask for, He will give you that which is tantamount to it, and that which you will greatly rejoice to receive in lieu thereof. Be then, dear reader, much in prayer, and make this evening a season of earnest intercession, but take heed what you ask.

Charles Spurgeon

 

[james1523]

"And he requested for himself that he might die." 1 Kings 19:4


​

It was a remarkable thing that the man who was never to die, for whom God had ordained an infinitely better lot, the man who should be carried to heaven in a chariot of fire, and be translated, that he should not see death-should thus pray, "Let me die, I am no better than my fathers." We have here a memorable proof that God does not always answer prayer in kind, though He always does in effect. He gave Elias something better than that which he asked for, and thus really heard and answered him. Strange was it that the lion-hearted Elijah should be so depressed by Jezebel's threat as to ask to die, and blessedly kind was it on the part of our heavenly Father that He did not take His desponding servant at his word. There is a limit to the doctrine of the prayer of faith. We are not to expect that God will give us everything we choose to ask for. We know that we sometimes ask, and do not receive, because we ask amiss. If we ask for that which is not promised-if we run counter to the spirit which the Lord would have us cultivate-if we ask contrary to His will, or to the decrees of His providence-if we ask merely for the gratification of our own ease, and without an eye to His glory, we must not expect that we shall receive. Yet, when we ask in faith, nothing doubting, if we receive not the precise thing asked for, we shall receive an equivalent, and more than an equivalent, for it. As one remarks, "If the Lord does not pay in silver, He will in gold; and if He does not pay in gold, He will in diamonds." If He does not give you precisely what you ask for, He will give you that which is tantamount to it, and that which you will greatly rejoice to receive in lieu thereof. Be then, dear reader, much in prayer, and make this evening a season of earnest intercession, but take heed what you ask.

Charles Spurgeon

This sermon seems to say that if we ask for something and says "no", God will give us something better.

 

[Christ4Ever]

He of cause mentions "...contrary to His will..." Thought it does bring to mind an Interesting perspective doesn't it? I mean that the "better" as seen by God, and not imagined by us of cause.

How little we truly know about what is good for us. There is one verse that comes to mind.... 1 Corinthians 2:9 "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."....All I can say is WOW whenever I read that verse! I contemplate that at times when I'm being hit with some darts that try to turn me back to a wordly perspective.

How can one forget about Lazarus and his sores being licked by dogs? Even the poorest of believers as accorded by the world is rich beyond belief in Christ Jesus!

Thanks for answering brother. It made me look outside of Elijah which Spurgeon was using as a focal point.

 

[james1523]

He of cause mentions "...contrary to His will..." Thought it does bring to mind an Interesting perspective doesn't it? I mean that the "better" as seen by God, and not imagined by us of cause.

How little we truly know about what is good for us. There is one verse that comes to mind.... 1 Corinthians 2:9 "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."....All I can say is WOW whenever I read that verse! I contemplate that at times when I'm being hit with some darts that try to turn me back to a wordly perspective.

How can one forget about Lazarus and his sores being licked by dogs? Even the poorest of believers as accorded by the world is rich beyond belief in Christ Jesus!

Thanks for answering brother. It made me look outside of Elijah which Spurgeon was using as a focal point.

Yes better is from God's point of view, rather than our point of view. But I'm reminded of how God can also test us by allowing satan to tempt us with an apparent answer to prayer which is not from God. For example, asking God for provision, and then some sort of provision coming by way of dishonest gain (gambling, theft etc) in a sort of "the end justifies the means" approach.

 

[Christ4Ever]

There was much that I had written but the system locked on me (twice)! I guess it was not meant to be said. However, I do remember two verses I used and the basic thought.

I opened with: If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Luke 11:11

Ended with: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Basically my thoughts were: That the "ends justifies the means" is a trial and temptation so we don't have to wait upon the Lord's providence to manifest itself. Also, that regardless of what is asked for we as His children know that what we receive is gain and will be to His glory.

Love communicating with you brother.
With all love
YBIC
C4E

GOT IT POSTED!!!!!!! Yeah!!!

 

[Chad]

This sermon seems to say that if we ask for something and says "no", God will give us something better.

Well, if GOD says "no" it means He has better in mind and ultimately, the "no" is because that request is outside His will. So essentially, yes GOD does have something better whether it means to withhold something for the person's sake or to have that believer wait for something greater, or better. It makes sense.