Run to Jesus!

As I read my Bible this morning, the passage I was in cross-referenced Mark 9:14-29. So I looked at that text. In each verse of Mark 9:14-29 I had written a note. Curious, I looked at my notes and to my surprise, I was actually encouraged. So I'd like to share the text and my notes with you, hoping you too will be encouraged.

Mark 9:14-15: "When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him." 

My note: "Run to Jesus!"

Mark 9:16: "And He asked, 'What are you discussing with them?' " 

My note: When we run to Him, He is ready to listen.

Mark 9:17: "And one of the crowd answered Him, 'Teacher, I brought you my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute;...' "

My note: Now run to Jesus with your needy child.

Mark 9:18: "...and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams and the mouth , and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it ." 

My note: Run to Jesus with your child and tell Him all about your child's desperate need. You are powerless to change his heart and so are others (even His disciples). No one can do anything for his sinful condition. You can consult and listen to those who seem wise (and perhaps they are). You can try a recommended method, such as "tough love"; you can ask other parents who look successful. But if you are not running to Jesus with your child, all those you consult with will prove to be useless (like Christ's disciples) in delivering your child from sin and its effects.

Mark 9:19: "And He answered them and said, 'O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring Him to Me!' "

My note: Run to Jesus, knowing that there is no one else who can set him free from the ravages of sin. And though you've gone to others, hoping that they could help your child, they've been of no use to him (because of their unbelief).  Look now to Jesus and hear Him say, "Bring him to Me."

Mark 9:20: "They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth."

My note: Run to Jesus with your needy child, but do not be surprised that when, after asking the Savior to rescue him, your child's situation becomes worse. The devil and his minions will ramp up their efforts to keep your child bound, knowing that Jesus is listening. They hate giving up what seems to have belonged to them and will pull out all stops to keep your dear one in the darkness. And they also know how to discourage you from praying confidently, believing that Jesus will indeed rescue your child from that darkness and transfer him into the glorious kingdom of His beloved Son, the very One you now run to.

Mark 9:21: "And he asked his father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' And he said, 'From childhood...' "

My note: You've run to Jesus and He has listened to you. In His compassion, He now asks you to tell Him more about our child's suffering. So tell him.

Mark 9:22: "...It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us!"

My note: Now ask the Savior, even if you lack confidence. You may even think He may be able to help your child but you wonder if He's willing to do so. Regardless of your "ifs" just ask Him.  

Mark 9:23: "And Jesus said to him, 'If You can? All things are possible to him who believes." 

My note: Now you hear the Savior say, "All things are possible to him who believes." And what is it that Jesus wants you to believe? He wants you to believe that He is not only able but that He is ready and willing to give you the very thing He also desires for your child - salvation. Salvation, is the gift that He died to freely give to those who are bound by the horrors of sin, when they run to Him. 

Mark 9:24: "Immediately, the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief."

My note: Now confess to Him that you have an unbelieving heart and ask Him to give you the faith to know and believe that He is this good, He is this kind, He is this compassionate, He is this generous and He is this able to give Himself to your child.

Mark 9:25: "When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, 'You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.' ".

My note: Now watch, with many others as the Savior delivers your child from the debilitating darkness.

Mark 9:26: "After crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, 'He is dead" "

My note: Now do not be discouraged when you see that your child may still exhibit some characteristics of death and darkness. Rather wait, because the Savior has transferred him from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son. But like Lazarus, having been raised from the dead, still carried on him the grave clothes, your child must also be helped to shed those rags of death in order to reveal his new, pristinely beautiful clothing - the garments of the righteousness of Christ. 

Mark 9:27: "But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him up; and he got up."

My note: Jesus will not only heal your child of his sin-sickness, but will now take his hand and lead him into the paths of righteousness for His glory. He is now your child's Savior and his tender shepherd. 

Mark 9:28-29: "When He came into the house, his disciples began questioning Him privately, 'Why could we not drive it out?' And he said to them, ' This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.' "

My note: Now, when you speak with others who have a dear one who needs the Savior,  tell them that all fleshly efforts will fail to set their loved one free from the grip of sin. Kindly implore them to run to and ask, as you did, the only One Who can take command of their child's heart and transform it forever for His glory. 

Run to Jesus!

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Run to Jesus!

on July 04, 2026 0 comments

The Simplicity of Prayer - Nine Things I've Learned

This article was originally posted on October 13 of 2010. After making a few adjustments, I decided to repost it anew. I pray that you are ministered to and helped in simplifying your times of communion with the Triune God:

It seems to me that we can make prayer way too hard. But Jesus tells us that we should come to our Heavenly Father as little children.

Is it difficult for a little child to need and want his mother or father? No. It's built into children to ask for whatever they need. It's natural and easy for them to do. In fact, they know of no other way to have their needs met other than relying on their mother and father.

So why do we "older kids" make asking and trusting so difficult? That's a question I've been considering lately.

For years, after my kids were all out of the house and my husband was off to work by 4:30 AM, I was before the throne of grace for "three hours in the wee hours" every day. I got up with Robert to get him ready for work and didn't go back to bed. By 7:30, after three hours of praying and reading, I was ready to face the demands of the day.

But things changed. We moved. Robert stopped going to work (came home on disability). I started sleeping till 7AM. And there was no privacy in our new, but small house. Praying became almost impossible, as I was faced with all these new challenges.

It really was quite disconcerting for me. Try as I might, I just couldn't get back that 3-hour block of time I'd been accustomed to. Guilt set in because I couldn't, try as I might, get back the intimacy I'd had with my heavenly Father. The devil must have rejoiced.

But my gracious Father took me through that dessert and into the green pastures once again. I had made praying so difficult, but the Lord is now showing me how simple prayer should be. I'd like to share with you what I'm learning:

1. Express your prayer in a breath or two. God doesn't need your ideas. Don't think that you will be heard for your many words. God knows what you need before you ask Him and He sees your heart and the intensity of desire there. (Matthew 6:7-8.)

2. Be real like a child. Children say what's on their minds without pretense. They don't try to appear to be something they are not. God sees how needy and imperfect we are and invites us into His presence to see how gracious, sufficient, compassionate and forgiving He is. (Matthew 18:3-4)

3. Be flexible about where you meet with the Lord. Don't get stuck thinking that you have to pray in a certain part of the house if there are hindrances to that. Besides, sometimes a change of pace is refreshing. Go outside if the weather is nice. (Matthew 14:23)

4. Come as you are with all your sin and disturbing thoughts. Lay them out before the throne of grace and confess your weaknesses and sins to the God of all grace. He is ready to forgive and kindly counsel you in His wisdom. (Isaiah 28:29; James 1:5; 1 John 1:9)

5. Come with all of your distractions. Don't try to ignore or overcome your side-tracked thoughts. Admit to the Lord that you are unable to keep your mind on Him. This is simply one of our weaknesses. Confess it to Him and He will give your mind the rest it needs. (Luke 10:40)

6. Start without expecting anything of yourself. Expect wonderful things from Jesus, but don't be surprised when you disappoint yourself. Just sit down at Jesus' feet like Mary did. That was easy. She didn't come to Him thinking, "Okay, I must spend at least an hour or two here communing with Jesus, otherwise I'm really not a spiritual person." No, she just sat down and the rest is history. (Isaiah 25:1; Luke 10:39)

7. Though number six is important, be flexible about spending more time with Jesus. Perhaps Mary thought, "I have a few moments to spend sitting with Jesus, then I'll need to get up and help Martha." But once Mary was at her Savior's feet, what she heard was so wonderful that she obviously stayed at least longer than Martha thought she should. And Jesus commended her for doing so. (Isaiah 25:1; Luke 10:41-42)

8. That brings us to the next suggestion. Don't worry that things won't get done. The demands of the day will find you, just like Martha found Mary. Of course, I'm not saying to neglect things that are important, but remember what Jesus said to Martha, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Try to remember the one needful thing when you sit down at Jesus' feet. You'll not be sorry. (Psalm 27:4; Luke 10:39-41)

9. And that brings us to the last idea. Simplify what is temporal so you can choose what is eternal. Don't just simplify prayer, simplify your life. Take what Jesus said to Martha seriously, "...only one thing is needful...". Make prayer easier by ridding your schedule of the unnecessary things that complicate your life and compete with the one thing that is needful (Matthew 6:33; Luke 10:41-42).

And if simplifying seems way too hard - like it's just one more thing you have to do and don't know where to start - tell the Lord and ask Him to show you where to start and what to do. He will give you guidance. You will get the help you need.

Do you have another idea for simplifying prayer? What things could you eliminate from your schedule to make room for prayer?

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

The Simplicity of Prayer - Nine Things I've Learned

on April 13, 2026 0 comments

And I Long to Worship Thee

The following note that I entered in my Bible...

...as I read Daniel 3:1-30, the account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they refused to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, reminded me of an experience that I had regarding worship. 

But first a little more information about our story from Daniel. This command from King Nebuchadnezzar, to worship was to be the response for all the peoples in his kingdom whenever they heard “the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipes” or ant other kind of music. But the trio of Israelite men would bow to worship no other god than the true and living God.

How this text really ministered to me  

While recovering from an extremely painful surgery, wherein I spent many hours either silent or in tears, my husband began singing to me songs of the Christian faith. When I heard him singing (when I heard the sound of his music), I was reminded of the comforting biblical truths they expressed and that sparked in me a response of quietly singing with him.

At the moment I began to sing with my husband, a flood of pain-relieving tears poured from my eyes. In worship of my God and King - the true God, not a false manmade god - the pain in my body fled. Now I wept with joy for the goodness and compassion of my Lord’s acknowledgement of my love for Him, expressed in my worship at a time when worshipping Him was the last thing on my mind.

And we see this also with the three Israelite men who were cast into the fiery furnace. The difference was that at the sound of the music, rather than fall to worship a false god, they remained standing by faith, committed to worship only Yahweh.

That was a worshipful response and for it they were cast into the fiery furnace. But in that dreadful place, I’m sure like Paul and Silas in the Roman jail, their worship became very vocal. Whether that was prayer or singing or both, their reward was the visitation by a fourth man, the Lord Himself, who prevented the fire from harming them and literally walked in the now-quelled danger with them.

True Worship yields divine intervention

What divine and amazing rewards the Lord pours forth when we worship Him in the most difficult, painful and even dangerous experiences of our lives. At the sound of our praise and worship, which is music to His ears, He sends forth protection, relief, freedom and peace.
We see His protection from death here in Daniel. We see His rescue from physical bondage in the Roman prison when Paul & Silas worshipped in song. And I experienced relief from excruciating pain when my mind, controlled by suffering, turned to worship. 

The Martyrs and how they sang in the fire

And now I begin to understand how those who have been martyred - lit on fire and burned at the stake for their faith - have been able to enter God’s presence, joyfully worshipping in song. as the fire consumed them.

They knew the divine power that Yahweh releases to rescue one from physical suffering when that suffering isn’t what is preeminent in their minds. Rather it is how God will use their suffering for His glory and in that they revel as they are empowered to worship Him even in the danger and/or pain. Their suffering is then transcended by His glorious presence as He walks with them in it just like He did in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. How amazing is our God?

But  you may ask, what about Paul when he prayed three times for relief? 

We read in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 about a suffering that the apostle Paul experienced. He asked the Lord three times to remove what he called "a thorn in the flesh". Though we are not certain of what his physical problem was, we can be certain that the Lord did indeed intervene in his suffering. 

Paul's description of what the Lord did for him reads, "Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

How wonderful. Strength for weakness, sufficient grace for our insufficiencies, joyful praise for our sufferings! I'd say that the Lord ministered to Paul even though his pain remained. But God's marvelous grace was more than enough to motivate Paul to rejoice in his discomforts. 

But there's something of even greater significance to all of this

However glorious these truths are, and they are wonderfully marvelous, they are not the most astounding truth as far as human suffering is concerned. As I thought about the grace that God gives His children, I realized that He did not give this same grace to His own Son on the cross.

Jesus experienced the wrath of God, so that I can experience His grace

Jesus went to the cross to bear the wrath of God that I as a sinner deserved. In His suffering there on the tree, He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).
Jesus could not cry out to His Father for help in His great distress for His Father had, in fact, turned away from Him. This is because He became sin, who knew no sin for me. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21).

This is stunning, the most glorious exchange ever! Jesus took my sin and graciously gave me His righteousness. He experienced poverty so that I might gain His riches! "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though being rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Our Savior suffered like this for those who wanted nothing to do with Him

What adds further amazement to this unimaginable grace, is that Jesus suffered agony without any help from heaven for me while I still wanted nothing to do with Him. As one who had no use for the Creator, the full weight of the suffering that I should have experienced, without any relief, without help from the throne of grace (which I now experience daily) fell on Jesus. This truly is the most startling truth concerning human suffering. Jesus, God in the flesh, was denied this grace so that I can now experience it.

This is so humbling!

These truths realized create in me a humility, a desire to think less selfishly about my own suffering and recognize therein my Savior’s agonizing physical, emotional and spiritual pain on the cross from which  He was denied relief.

How can we respond, other than to truly worship our amazing Creator and Redeemer?

I now long to lift my voice in worshipful gratitude in every opportunity that my suffering provides. And, of course, with every breath that is free of suffering.

“As the deer panteth for the water,
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee

You're my friend and You are my brother
Even though You are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything.

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire.
And I long to worship Thee 

 

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

And I Long to Worship Thee

on January 25, 2026 0 comments

Grace - The Great Exchange

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. That though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you, through His poverty might become rich." 

2nd Corinthians 8:9

For those who know the Savior, this post really needs no introduction. The truth remains that His grace is far greater than my sin. He has given Himself to us and the riches He imparts to our fainting hearts never, ever diminishes. If anything, the longer we know the Lord Jesus, the greater our awe. This is what we experience here on this globe and I cannot imagine what glory awaits us when we have shed these fleshly bodies and at last see Him face to face!

Christ's riches for my poverty

His welcome for my shame

His strength for my weakness

His cross for my blame

His wisdom for my foolishness

His cheer for my rage

His pardon for my guiltiness

His freedom for my chains

His fathering for my orphaned heart

His peace for all my fears

His humility for my arrogance

His joy for all my tears

His hope for my hopelessness

His perfection for my sins

His goodness for my selfishness

His mercy never ends

Now Christ is all I'll ever need

All I had was doom and strife

I now have His eternal love 

And His grace transforms my life

Praise our gracious God for these truths found in 2 Corinthians 8:9.

Copyright 2025 Sharon Kaufman

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Grace - The Great Exchange

on September 02, 2025 0 comments

A Well-Rested Soul

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. 

Luke 10:38-42

From this passage of Scripture, do you generally identify more with Mary or Martha?

I am both women. I can easily become distracted and frustrated because of my busyness. When this is the case, I always experience a sense of loss - an opportunity to sit and listen to Jesus that's lost and gone forever. I regret this and must confess it as sin. 

But as for the times when I sit at Jesus' feet, I never regret those times, nor do I feel like I missed out on anything the best of my busyness holds out to me. It all has to do with the difference between the eternal and the temporal.

As far as sitting at Christ's feet daily in devotion to listen for the purpose of love for the Savior and the rest He gives, others have said it better than I: 

"We Christians must simplify our lives or lose untold treasures on earth and in eternity. Modern civilization is so complex as to make the devotional life all but impossible. The need for solitude and quietness was never greater than it is today." A. W. Tozer

"This perpetual hurry of busyness and company ruins me in soul if not in body. More solitude and earlier hours!... Surely the experience of all good men confirms that proposition that without a due measure of private devotions the soul will grow lean." William Wilberforce

"A man can no more take in a supply of grace for the future than he can eat enough for the next six months, or take sufficient air into his lungs at one time to sustain life for a week. We must draw upon God's boundless store of grace from day to day as we need it." D. L. Moody

"Nothing can be more healthful to the soul of the
believer than feeding upon the Word, and digesting it by frequent meditation." C. H. Spurgeon

"There is greater rest and solace to be found in the presence of God for one hour, than in an eternity of the presence of man." Robert Murray M'Cheyne

"Remember that it is not hasty reading, but serious meditation on holy and heavenly truths, that makes them prove sweet and profitable to the soul." Thomas Brooks

"He who lives with little prayer - he who seldom reads the Word - he who seldom looks up to heaven for a fresh influence from on high - he will be the man whose heart will become cold and barren." C. H. Spurgeon

But of course, Jesus said it best in Matthew 11:28-30, and who would want to refuse such an invitation?:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

In searching for the encouraging quotes listed above, I also came upon this anonymous hymn that so aptly describes the wonderful exchange that is made while sitting at the feet of our Savior. 

At the Feet of Jesus

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,

Oh, the words I hear Him say!

Happy place! So near, So precious!

May it find me there each day;

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,

I look not upon the past;

For He’s been to me so gracious,

I’m forgiven, cleansed at last.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,

Where can mortal be more blest?

There I lay my sins and sorrows,

And, when weary, find sweet rest.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,

Where I come to weep and pray;

While I from His fullness gather

Grace and comfort for each day.

Bless me, O my Savior, bless me,

As I sit here at Your feet;

Now look down in love upon me,

Let me see Thy face so sweet.

Lord, give to us the mind of Jesus,

At His feet we long to live;

With Christ's love, now kindly seize us,

So we His welcome freely give.

From the hymnal Select Hymns from 1911 (slightly revised)

Don't miss another opportunity to come to Jesus for the rest your soul so desperately needs!

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

A Well-Rested Soul

on October 07, 2021 0 comments

Lessons from Sophie - Dwelling in Safety

Note: We said 'goodbye' to our sweet Sophie the day before yesterday (July 11th, 2021). In memorium, I decided to look back on three posts I added to my blog when Sophie was very young, with the tag "Lessons From Sophie". 

These posts, inspired by our little dog, were demonstrations that Sophie modeled to me regarding what my relationship to Lord should look like.

After reading these, I've decided to update and repost them. May Sophie encourage you the way she has continued to encourage me. 

And now, after having left us, these memories from her are also a sweet comfort to me. This is the first of the three articles, originally posted on May 24th, 2008, when Sophie was a little more than a year old: 

Lessons from Sophie - Dwelling in Safety

"Do not fear for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

One of the first posts I wrote was about my cute little dog, Sophie (click here to go to that post). She provided a great lesson for what it means to wholeheartedly love the one who feeds and cares for her (me).

Now she has again impressed upon me what it means to trust and depend upon her master (again, that's me; though to be accurate, I really am her mistress).

I have noticed an interesting behavior that Sophie displays when she is frightened of something - the vacuum cleaner, for instance. The first time I became aware of this behavior was when Robert and I were in the garden working. Robert was operating the rototiller and, of course, Sophie was afraid of it.

How she handled her fear is how I want to handle myself with the Lord when I am tempted to be afraid of any created thing. Instead of running away from what she feared in the garden that day (the rototiller), she got up as close to Robert and me as she could without getting tangled in the rototiller. As fearful as she was of the threatening raucous monster, she was more sure of my protection of her. She seemed to know where real safety was - right beside me.

Sophie does the same thing in the house when I am vacuuming. She gets up as close to me as she can, sandwiching me between herself and the dangerous suction machine. She doesn't try to tackle the intruder herself, in fact, she doesn't even offer warning barks. Sophie just knows that she will dwell in safety if she is next to me.

For me, this doesn't always come naturally. The enemy's design is to use my fears to separate me from my beloved Savior. But, oh, how I want that trouble to draw me to the Protector of my soul instead. When I am tempted to be anxious about what is in front of me, I desire to instinctively run to Jesus and put Him in between me and the peril. This is what will truly bring great comfort to me and great glory to my heavenly Father.

Besides, knowing this wonderful truth, isn't God good to put the examples before us in such delightful ways? I see my little dog do this thing easily, like it is her only option. May running to my Lord be the only thought in my head also. Only in His presence will I find rest and safety.

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Lessons from Sophie - Dwelling in Safety

on July 13, 2021 1 comments

Why Does He hear Me?

"...the Father Himself loves you because you have loved Me and believed that I came from God." John 16:27

Struggling with a self-focus in prayer

In my praying, I am constantly battling the thought that I am earning "merits" so to speak - the thought that because I pray, God is pleased with me and rewards my good behavior by answering my prayer. The negative side of that thinking is also present - that if I could word my prayer just right or pray longer or more often, then I could move God's heart to act.

Nothing could be further from the truth! God's answer does not depend on how good I can make my prayer or how often or long I pray. I am not earning kudos every time I bend my knee. The only reason He hears me in the first place is because of Christ's goodness and grace. Jesus has made me righteous and acceptable in God's sight (Phil. 3:9). I cannot come to the Father except through Jesus (John 14:6) and His unmerited grace.

So then, why does God hear and answer me?

Then when I come into God's presence with adoration for my Savior, that gets God's attention. And I cannot fake that love. God knows when my heart is fervent with love for Christ. He also sees when I come with self-gratifying motives. Jesus said in John 16:27, "...the Father Himself loves you because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God."

How absurd is it to think that I can impress God?

Furthermore, a completely different thing happens when I come into God's presence. He is not at all impressed by my "devoutness in prayer". The truth is that when I come into God's presence, I am changed. I am impressed. No! I am astonished by Him! "...In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11are pleasures forevermore. there 

Being at His throne of grace, praying to a God who should never have loved me (according to my own faulty standards of how to earn favor with others) yes, being at His gracious throne transforms me. He turns my gloom into rejoicing. He turns me from my self-focus to His sovereign and gracious purposes. He forgives my sin, again. I become aware once more of His glorious and eternal grace for my messy heart. I am reminded of God's love for me which fuels my adoration for my Savior.

How absurd is it then to think that I can impress God? To think that I can gain His favor by "behaving" a certain way! How silly to think that I could be in league with the sinless Savior. I am actually, without realizing it, trying to prove to God that I am more transcendent than my Savior.

Impress my Heavenly Father? How could that ever happen when Jesus is beside Him, seated at His right hand - the flawless, glorious, magnificent and incomparable Son of God? In truth, my effort to impress God with my "devotion" is really an effort to marginalize my Savior. What a flagrant sin that is when understood in this way!

God hears me because I love Jesus

God's love for me is real. He loves me - the Bible tells me so! He delights to hear from me when I come to Him with sincere devotion to Christ. Would you not love the one who adores your own child, the one who desires to see your child benefited and spoken well of to others? Would you not love the one who avails himself to see that your aspirations for your child are carried out because he recognizes that they are good, needful and important? Would you not then offer to that friend your resources knowing that your child would be greatly honored ultimately?

Photo by Tim Cooper on Unsplash

This is why God avails His resources to me. I long to see Christ glorified, lifted up, adored through my life, my body and my all. This is why God hears me. He knows when my heart is truly set on loving His Son and that is when I pray according to His glorious will. 

Afterall, is it not only through the name of our Savior that we gain access into our Father's presence? We dare not come to God by any other name, certainly not by my name - one who had no use for the Lord Jesus, other than to use His precious name as a byword. It is only by the Savior's worthy name that we can even approach God's glorious throne. 

And He answers the prayer that is according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). When I pray this way God sees that my heart's motive is love for Christ. He answers my prayer for His Son's sake - for His glory. He loves to hear and answer the prayer that is carried into His presence on the wings of love for Christ. It is music to His listening ear.

Praise be to God for this precious truth! 

Lord, may I love Your Son in this manner. May my every prayer be influenced, permeated and saturated with sincere adoration for the One through whom I come. And this I ask for in the name of Your gracious and compassionate Son.

Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Why Does He hear Me?

on June 30, 2021 0 comments