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Topics: Convenience, Sin, Judgement
"Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:" - Proverbs 1:28
He didn't really like going to the convenience store, but it was, well...convenient.
When he had a craving for a late night snack, it was the only thing open in
town. At three-thirty in the morning when his baby girl had a toothache, it
was off to the convenience store for some medicine. He bought some sealant for a flat tire there, purchased gas there instead of driving across town and picked up a sausage biscuit sandwich on his way to work when he was running behind.
Once, he even purchased a rose and a small figurine at the convenience store when he forgot his anniversary!
Even though he didn't like the convenience store, he found himself there from
time to time.
Whether it was a medical need, a quick fix for his hunger or just something that wasn't available elsewhere, the man came to rely on the convenience
store. When he had nowhere else to turn, when he had a need that no one else could meet, when there was an emergency...he knew where to go.
One night another need arose. He quickly got dressed, got into his car and
headed for the convenience store. As he neared the store, he noticed there were no cars parked outside. Turning into the driveway, he saw the the building was dark. There was no one there. He noticed a note on the door of the convenience store and hurried over to read it. The note read simply:
"Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: BUT YOUR INIQUITES HAVE SEPARATED BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR GOD, AND YOUR SINS HAVE HID HIS FACE FROM YOU, THAT HE WILL NOT HEAR."
You see, God doesn't like to be treated like a convenience store. Prayer isn't something to fall back on when all else fails. He doesn't like for His children to only come around when there is an emergency or need. He longs for you to enjoy spending time with Him, not to pray out of necessity, when there is nowhere else to turn. And so, sometimes He closes the doors, so to speak. Sometimes He stops listening to your prayers because sin has separated you from Him.
If your prayers seem cold and dark, if you petitions seem to be locked out and unable to enter the store of Heaven, if the things you ask for seem to find no one around...there is good news. The store can be reopened. The note on the door continues. It reads:
"IF MY PEOPLE, WHICH ARE CALLED BY MY NAME, SHALL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, AND PRAY, AND SEEK MY FACE, AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS; THEN WILL I HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN, AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND. NOW MINE EYES SHALL BE OPEN, AND MINE EARS ATTEND UNTO THE PRAYER THAT
IS MADE IN THIS PLACE."
How's your prayer life, my friend? Do you dislike "going there" and do so
only when there is a need or emergency...because it is convenient? OR, are you a regular at the store of Heaven, frequenting so often that you have become somewhat of a fixture as you make daily visits?
Remember...God doesn't like to be treated like a convenience store. He does, however, long for you to come around and spend some time at His place.
Why not drop in right now?
Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown