May 10, 2018
Two boys graduated from high school. They had not seen each other for a long time when they unexpectedly met on the street. One of the boys had become a respected, successful lawyer. The other had become a beggar.
The beggar looked at the lawyer and said, “It’s wonderful what has happened to you. Look at me, I have nothing.” They talked for a while and the lawyer said to his friend, “I hope it will not embarrass you, but I’d like to make a gift to you. Here’s a check. I want you to take it and buy some things you might need.”
The man took the check and looked at it. “Oh,” he said, “When I go into the bank dressed in these rags, do you think they will give me any money?” The lawyer replied, “My friend, it’s not the way you look that counts. It’s my name on the check.”
That’s the way our Lord has taught us to pray. We don’t bring our worth to God expecting Him to answer according to our appearance or our deeds. When we pray, we pray in the name of Jesus.
Psalm 124:8 says, “Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.” Jesus said, “And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it” (John 14:13-14).
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”