Demanding Faith

I grew up learning about God and His faithfulness. I even learned some characteristics about faith that are not biblical. I’ve heard people make demands of God based on their faith and it’s a bit troubling. I’ve prayed desperate prayers like this myself. I wanted the Lord to show me more – to validate my faith. I admit that I’ve had demanding faith. I want what I want when I want it.

I came across a small paragraph of Jesus going to a village and then abruptly leaving after some demanding behavior. Check this out…

¹¹ When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

¹² When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign.” ¹³ So he got back into the boat and left them, and he crossed to the other side of the lake. (Mark 8:11-13 NLT)

This story made me ponder some characteristics of my faith.

Is my faith based on what He can do for me?

Is my faith based on what He has done for me?

Is my faith based on Who God is?

I’ve walked with the Lord a long time. I know what it is to feel His Presence. I know how to listen to Him. I know how to talk to Him.  I don’t ever want Him to leave because of my demanding faith. I trust Him. I believe He knows what is best for me, even when I think it’s something different.

He knows my heart.

He knows the depth of my faith.

He knows of my love for Him.

I think it’s totally appropriate to ask the Lord for anything, trusting Him with everything. I ask Him to qualify my ask… “If it’s Your will”.  I’m in no position to demand anything from God, but He invites me to ask anything and pray about everything.

Pressing On!

Dwayne