Thursday, September 18, 2008
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God You Better Do This for Me or...Else...
by miss iris 
Have you ever been going through a rough patch in your life where you say to God, "Enough is enough God, either you do this, or else I'll do something stupid!" Or, have you ever asked God for something and said, "Hey God, I'd like X by Y time, please and thanks!"
How has that worked out? How did you feel afterwards? How do you think God feels about these ultimatums?
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Comments (14)
Usually, one would think that that wouldnt work out. After all, it's bargaining with God, how well could that turn out?
But in the bible, it's been proven that men can change God's mind. God does have mercy, both to those who deserve it and ask.
So maybe it's a good thing to ask! I'm just not so keen about the "bargaining" as in "Give me this and I'll do this" etc. God knows our true hearts and if were geniunue, theres no telling where this would go. :)
i think God will laugh at a person that gives Him deadlines. He works on HIS time, not ours. actually having the nerve to give God a deadline just puts more frustration on yourself because it shows impatience. if Christians put God first and had faith in Him to provide all their needs, then He'll do it. He already knows when you need things anyway, so there's no need to give Him a deadline.
I guess I should back up what I say so noone will get mad or confused >__< sorry!
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2020;&version=9;
This is second kings. Hezekiah was ovbiously very old and his time was coming. When he prayed, God was able to add some years to his life (20:6)
6And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake
So really, he didn't exactly "bargain", be just asked and was very sincere. I think that's what works.
I think it depends on the heart behind the prayer. If it's, "God, I need you because I'm at the end of myself. Do what you want to do," and prayed in faith that God will help us, then I believe it touches His heart.
If it's, "God, you're not coming through, so give me what I want, because I know what is best for me," He still looks down with love, knowing that we are as clueless as little children about what is best for us, but I don't think He's pleased with our attitude.
I have a quick story. When my cousin was in college, she got really desperate for a relationship. She prayed and told God that she wanted to meet someone by midnight the following Saturday. A male friend called and asked her out for the first time at ten p.m. Saturday. They have been happily married for over four years, and they have two little boys. You never know what God will do! His ways are mysterious.
i don't think mature believers even in times of desperately desiring God to give them favor make ultimatums... i think they tend to make thier prayers concerning the desire a bit more earnest than before... especially since in their minds, as far as they have fervently sought clarity and clarified their motives to be right as far as what James 4 describes that they believe to be the best for them...
it's not out of an ultimatum more or less than it is out of sincere earnest for something that they know will honor God and are deseperately coming to Him because they know He's the ONLY One Who can do anything about it... and it makes the prayers more prevalent....
and these believers are all under the notion of the simple statement, "Lord Willing..." to these believers who are in this, that is a given... they are submitted to that... and through it all still pray the prayers in asking God to grant them the favor they are requesting for....
i know... i'm there now...
sure, i've given God an ultimatium--99.9% of the time, He doesn't work on my time schedule. i'm learning not to have a fit about it--personally, i think it amuses Him.
we serve Him and not He serve us, get the logic right, dummy.
I'm really trying to come to terms with this one myself. I've been unemployed for almost 4 months now and its driving me crazy! I ask God to help me find a job and fast so because I've got bills to pay, but I know he does things in his timing for a reason. In my worldy view, I feel like I need a job for some reason, but God's purpose is so much bigger than mine and I can't even begin to fathom what he will have in store for me when I finally do get employed!
Want to make God laugh? Tell Him your plans!... I agree with saturdai17, I think when we demand things from God and give Him ultimaitums, He probably gets a big kick out of it! After all, He is God and no matter what we demand or what threats we may make, He will do what is best in HIS perfect timing and there is nothing we can do to change that! Granted we are human and a little thick in the head sometimes so even if we do really know that, we still tend to act like spoiled children and make our demands as if they have any impact on what He knows is best for us!
As a baby Christian I once told God that I was going to buy a pack of cigarettes unless He gave me a flat tire or something. I hadn't had one in weeks and it was all I could think about... it wasn't an angry "or else" kind of thing... just a "Lord, I know you don't want this but I'm not strong enough" plea.
When I got to the gas station the attendant said, "I wouldn't sell these to you if I didn't have to..." to which I replied, "Yeah, I know, I quit a few weeks ago..." to which he responded with, "Why did you quit?" LOL! I told him I had become a Christian and I knew God wanted me to stop but I just wasn't strong enough. His wife walked in at that point and they asked if they could pray with me (we had about 15 minutes of prayer!) , invited me to their church, gave me their home number and told me they would keep praying for me!
I had already put them in my purse at that point and intended to trash them but gave in and lit ONE. I immediatly threw it out the window, tossed the rest of the pack and never had another one!!! God is big and compassionate and loves us more than we can ever understand!
I actually have tried this. I was actually having trouble with a close friend of mine. The relationship was toxic. I asked God to fix it or remove it by the end of the week - He removed her. She's still living in the same city but He opened up doors for both her and myelf so we don't hae as much time for one another.
I don't think that it's givind God a demand but activating your faith in asking Him to perform a quick name. Jesus said that if we ask and believe that whatever we ask for will be given to us, right?
@y_tc@xanga -
**You've been THUMPED!**
"If you can't say something nice,
Don't say nothin' at all!"
@THUMPER - hahaha, lol, are you just then, saying something nice as well? Not!
**You've NOT been THUMPED!**
Wel... If been waiting waiting.... and what? Guess Nothing happens... Now someone beat me to it! And all is lost :(
Lets just hope there is plan behind this...