More Treats

(c) 2008, Amy S. Lewis

I have a bad habit – well, more than one. One in particular is that I enjoy giving my horse treats. Apples. Carrots. Oatmeal cinnamon treats. Peppermints. That’s not necessarily the problem. The problem is that he expects treats from me. He watches my hands intently to see if I’m holding something edible. He nuzzles my coat pockets searching out a treat. Of course, I’m a pushover and give in. Before he’s even swallowed, he’s begging for more. He’s constantly turning his head or nudging me asking for more when I’m trying to saddle him. It’s as if he’s forgotten I had just given him something good. He doesn’t appreciate what I’ve already given him.

How quickly and how often do we do the same with God? Do we remember His past goodness to us as we wait for an answer to prayer? Do we receive an answer to prayer and shortly thereafter question God’s faithfulness or wonder why he appears to be absent from another situation? I know I have.

Psalm 40:5 (NLT):
O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us…
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them.

In Matthew 15:33, Jesus implies that he and the disciples should feed 4,000 people in the middle of nowhere. The practical disciples ask Jesus where he expects them to buy food for 4,000 people. Seems logical until we remember that just a few days previously Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 with just five loaves of bread and two fish. How quickly the disciples forgot Jesus’ divine abilities.

We too need to remember His divinity and what he’s done for us in the past in order to trust him for the future. What prayer have you consistently prayed that has yet to be answered? What previous answered prayer do you recall that might help you rest in His faithfulness for your current prayer? What prayer will you bring to Him with renewed zeal as you remember what He has done? In this season of Thanksgiving, will you remember how He’s cared for you and answered your prayers, and then thank Him for all He has done, and will do?

Lamentations 3:23,25 (NLT):
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning…
The Lord is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him.

Just like Ernie will continue seeking treats from me, knowing I’ve delivered in the past, we need to continue praying to God, trusting in His eternal faithfulness and thanking Him for all He has done. He has been so good to us.

Colossians 2:7 (NLT): Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Questions for reflection:
1. What prayer have you consistently prayed that has yet to be answered? Can you see how God may be slowly working to answer your prayer?

2. What previous answered prayer do you recall that might help you rest in His faithfulness for your current prayer?

3. What prayer will you bring to Him with renewed zeal as you remember what He has done previously? For encouragement, see Luke 18:18.