November 2008 Devotionals
November 17, 2008
Does God Ever Give Us Stones When We Ask for Bread?
A Conversation with Elizabeth Rice Handford
Once in a while, when I’m praying for something important, it has seemed God gave me something different from what I had prayed for, and what I thought I needed. But later on, I discovered He really had answered my heart need, but in a way better than I had imagined.
In Matthew 7:9-11, Jesus asked His listeners, “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him?”
God’s promise is clear: He doesn’t play games with His children. He tells us to pray and ask for what we need. When He answers that prayer, and gives us gifts from His generous heart, they will always be good gifts. Since the bread of Bible times was often shaped like a hard roll, it might resemble a stone. A child asking his father for bread might not be able to tell if it was a stone or bread. But since the child knows the father won’t trick him, he hungrily reaches for the bread and eats, completely satisfied.
An unknown author says, “The Lord’s answers to prayer are infinitely perfect. Eternity will show that often, when we were asking for a stone that looked like bread, He was giving us bread that looked like a stone.” And that’s because God knows our hearts better than we do, and He delights in giving us what He knows will please us.
Do you feel like God given you a stone instead of the good gift you asked Him for? Wait patiently. You will discover your loving Heavenly Father has actually given you life-giving bread!
November 10, 2008
Never Found Wanting in Courage
A Thoughtful Conversation with Elizabeth Rice Handford
In 1918 my father was about to be shipped overseas from Camp Travis, Texas. He’d been conscripted from Baylor University, shortly before he was to graduate. At the graduation ceremonies he could not attend, they draped a U.S. flag where he would have sat.
My father’s father, my Grandpa Rice, well knew how terrible American losses were on the western front. But he still wrote this poignant letter to Daddy:
“My dear Son,”
“I was glad to hear you had arrived O.K. I realize that the work there will be new to you, but it is a time when we all have new duties to learn. Our officers are human, and glad to help a boy that has the right stuff in them. This is a time that tries the hearts and nerve of men. By God’s help a Rice will never be found wanting in courage to give to the last for our government and to keep Old Glory spotless, and it matters not what others may think or do.
“Remember you are a man, and have a full man’s job, and I am sure you will not be lacking in courage or will power. While my sixty years are a ban against me ever going to the front, thank God I have a son to represent me.
“And when I go on my knees before a loving Father, I do not ask that the work be made easy for you, but that strength will be given you to do what is necessary. Thank God I’ve got a son.
“Your Father”
It is this kind of selfless loyalty that men and women throughout America’s history have given in our country’s time of need so we enjoy a liberty few other nations in the world experience. In this week of remembrance, may we be grateful to so many who paid so high a price. And may we never forget it is God’s generous grace that gave us this nation.
November 3, 2008
God Keeps His Promises
A Conversation with Elizabeth Rice Handford
A granddaughter came to see me one day. “Grammy, I need you to pray with me about my tuition for this last semester of college. I’ve used up all the scholarships available, and don’t know what to do.”
My first thought was to try to borrow the money to help her out. Then I realized she needed to learn God keeps His promises. So we looked at a number of places in the Bible where God says He wants us to pray and expect Him to answer our prayers. I told her of many answers to prayer Walt and I had seen through the years. But as I watched her walk out to her car, I thought, “Lord, I’ve put a big burden on you; please don’t let her down!” — and laughed at that foolish thought, remembering how our great God is able to protect His own good name!
Then I remembered, years ago, a woman coming to me in deep distress. “Libby, you know my Betsy?” I did. She was a lovely little ten-year-old that brought sunshine wherever she walked.
“You know she’s adopted. Well, she’s been praying for a baby brother. Not once in a while, but all the time–when we eat, when she goes to bed, all the time! Libby, if I couldn’t have a baby when I was 20, I certainly can’t have a baby when I’m 40. I’m afraid Betsy will be disappointed with God when He doesn’t answer her prayer. Shall I tell her to quit praying?”
I thought about it a while. “No, I think God is able to protect His own good name. Let God worry about it—He’s the one who promised to answer our prayers.”
You can guess what happened, can’t you? Within three months, Betsy’s mother was pregnant, and in due time darling Betsy held in her arms the baby brother she had prayed for so diligently.
And the granddaughter who asked us to pray for her tuition needs? The next week she came back, jubilant. The school asked her to tutor, with pay, some students in the same chemistry class she was taking, and it was enough to take care of her bill.
Isaiah 45:19 tells that God does not tell us to pray in vain–He tells us to pray because He intends to answer our prayers. And He answers our prayers for His own name’s sake. God is able to protect His own good name. He keeps His promises.