Ask.God

I have two children, son (17) and daughter (14). Kids enjoy shopping with me when my wallet is tight, but sometimes when I am broke and need to do some necessary shopping I tell my kids the condition of my wallet and my son understands it well. But my daughter, she still asks. Though I get upset with her, at the end I buy her what she asked for. This makes me feel good, and I enjoy seeing her happy. ‘If I, then, though I am evil, know how to give good gifts to my daughter, how much more will The Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!’ (Mathew 7:11).

Bible says, “You do not have, because you do not ask God” (James 4:2). If so, how do we ask? “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Mathew 21:22). But sometimes we do not receive, that is “Because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3) or otherwise it may not be what God wants for you, “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for” (Jeremiah 29:11). Now again, how do we know what to ask for? Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you”. So “this is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14).

Personally, I have good experience in asking God and I have received everything that I have ever asked for. When I have to find a new job after each contract, I ask God for two things – Designation and salary. Believe me, He provides exactly what I ask. Sometimes I had to wait for more than a year struggling, but at the end He provides me what I asked. Even my near once used to tell me to accept whatever offer that comes first. But I was adamant to take it from him, I always knew my Lord will provide.

There is a technique in asking. “Whatever you ask for in prayer, beleive that you received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). Whenever I ask, I ask for things more than my eligibility, so that the whole credit goes to Him without doubt. I ask not to test Him, but I ask so that I know deep in my heart how much I need it and so I beleive I will receive it (no matter how long it takes). This time I asked for a position as Design Engineer, and I’ll be joining Wood Group as ‘Senior Design Engineer’ with zero experience in designing. You might be thinking how I could perform the job. “What, then, shall ‘I’ say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). And salary, He has provided me $100 more than what I asked for.

My request to all who read this is to “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”. And when you ask, don’t be stingy.

Fighting the Giants.

We all face giants at one time or another in our lives. By giants, I am speaking of what seem to be insurmountable problems and issues. We try to overcome these giants, but often they seem to grow stronger with the passing of time.

It could be a giant of addiction or it might be fear, something that has a grip on your life. Then again, it could be a giant of threat; a lawsuit has been filed against you. Maybe there is even a threat against your very life.

Or it might be a different kind of giant altogether, like an unbelieving spouse or a reckless child. You have prayed for them. You have asked the Lord to reach them, yet they seem to become more hardened as the years pass by.

How do we deal with the giants in our life? The answer is in the Old Testament – David and Goliath. Most of us are familiar with the story.

David boldly defeated the giant Goliath, armed only with a slingshot and five smooth stones which were locally and easily available. The will of the Philistines was broken. The Israelites were reinvigorated. And it was all because a little shepherd boy answered the call of God and cut down the giant.

So what do we learn from this story about facing off with our own giants in life?

One – recognize that we all have giants. We all face severe hardships, seemingly insurmountable obstacles and temptations. We all have problems. We all have temptations.

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

While it is true we all have giants, it is also true that every giant can be defeated.

Goliath was not always a giant. He was not always 9-feet-6-inches tall. He was once a baby. And with the passing of time and the nurture of others, the baby became a child. And the child became a teenager. And the teenager became a man. And the man (when received power as a solder) turned into a giant. In time, little things become big things.

Two – realize that the battle belongs to the Lord. (This will break the Will of the Giant). David told Goliath, “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:47). Why giants defeat us again and again—because we face them in our own strength and we lose. We need to realize this is the Lord’s battle.

Three – attack your giant. Goliath had come into the actual territory of the Israelites. He had crossed their line. He was taunting them. And if you tolerate a Goliath, he will take over your territory. He will come right up on your doorstep.

That is why you don’t run from giants. You don’t negotiate with them. You attack them. The Bible tells us, “As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.” (1 Samuel 17:48). As the enemy drew closer, David ran right at him.

Whatever your giant may be, force it into the light of day. Stop rationalizing it. Stop excusing it. Realize you can’t defeat it in your own strength. Call on God and pray for His power, and then attack it. Stay away from people or situations where you would be easily tempted. And don’t let that giant back into your life again. Finally, trust in the Lord.