“You do not have, because you don’t ask God.” James 4:2b
It’s not really my character to always ask – for something/help/favor, in Filipino “palahingi”. But I’m learning this lesson that sometimes God wants us to ask Him personally. Yes, it is said in the book of Matthew, “for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” but God also wants us to ask, just like a child asking his earthly father. Bruce Wilkinson also mentioned in his book “Prayer of Jabez” about a story of “unopened gifts” in heaven because people do not ask God. On the other hand, this is not a reason to view God as a genie in a bottle who always grants our request. God also wants us to exercise faith.
I admire the tremendous faith of Daniel’s three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, when they were about to be thrown in a fiery furnace because they refused to worship the image of gold. Daniel 3:16-18 says, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”” Sometimes, rather most of the times, we tend to love and worship God when everything is all right – problem-free, smooth sailing life, comfortable and convenient environment, etc. But when we experience small amounts of trials and suffering, our faith in Him wavers. This is what Philip Yancey called the “two handed faith”. We put our faith in God not only when everything goes well but also during tough times. Your faith in God depends on how well do you know Him.