As I was reading through Romans 9 tonight, I began to pay more attention to each word in detail. Usually, when I read through passages in scripture, I don’t spend much time thinking about each word.
Loving without hypocrisy, (v.9) what could that mean? Do we love expecting something in return? Do we expect others to love us more when we ourselves are not being loving? Do we compare ourselves to how others are behaving and say “I’m so much better than they are?” I know I have done these things.
Clinging to what is good. Just what is good? It is the things that the Lord loves; the fruit of the Spirit. It is grace, mercy, faith, hope, love, patience, and more. It is the things that are not of the world, but of the Spirit. Phillipians 4:8 states this: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” These are the things we cling to.
Giving preference to one another. This means we think of others before ourselves and we long to see them happy. I know that of myself I am so naturally selfish–things need to be done on my time and in the way I want to or I grow impatient! But love is not self-seeking (Corinthians 13).
Continuing steadfastly in prayer. This is one particular area I greatly struggle with. I have had times where I have poured out my heart to the Lord and cried to Him, and have felt His presence, but it is never been something I earnestly do day after day. I am one of those people who start out fervent in something, and as time goes on, I sort of go back to old habits. Unfortunately, this goes right into my prayer life.
Awhile ago, I had this thought and it dealt with relationships. If you think about the relationship you have with your family, your friends, or significant other, how much time do you devote to these people? How is that time spent? Do you talk the whole time you are with them? (I know some people do) Do you spend time listening to them? If you didn’t spend time with them or listen to them, would you have a relationship?
Now apply this to your relationship with God. Do you spend enough time with him? Do you have a five minute relationship with God? Is that really a relationship? I am such a guilty culprit of this. I often wonder, “HOW can I be better in prayer? I am a horrible PRAY-ER.” The question to this is much the same as the question you would ask: “How can I have a better relationship with my boyfriend or fiance?” The answer: Doing it. You have to work at it. You will NEVER, I repeat, NEVER be perfect in prayer. There is no perfect prayer guideline really. We earnestly strive every day to be better at our relationships, but we will never be perfect; we can’t be.
Men and women of prayer in the Bible:
Abraham- When He prayed for God’s hand to be removed from Sodom
Moses-when He prayed that God would have mercy on Israel
David-when He called on the Lord to save him from affliction
Hanna-When she prayed that God would give her a child.
Ezra-Prayed, while acknolwedging the sins of Israel.
Daniel-prayed, inspite of the law!
Mary-praised the Lord for blessing her to be the mother of Christ!
Jesus-praying for His disciples!
Paul-praying for the churches!
There are many more examples, but these are people who lived and breathed the Lord. Perfect? Far, FAR from it! But they longed after God! How I desire to want the same!
