Thank God When He Makes the Means Effective

Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you.”2 Kings 20:5There are two ways to lose the path of wisdom. One is to forget the means that God uses. The other is to forget that it is God who uses the means.Isaiah said, “Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil” (Isa. 38:21). But God said, “Behold I will heal you.”So, when Hezekiah recovers, he is not going to say, “That fig paste is the most marvellous potion!” No, he is going to give thanks to God, because he knows that it was God who made the fig paste effective. When you know that God works through means, you will be grateful for the means, but you will give glory to God who used them.These words will help you pray for yourself and others:Health: If you are ill, use the means God has provided, and pray that He will work through the means. Lord, use this medicine to make her well. Lord, use this chemotherapy to heal his cancer.Employment: If you lose your job, use the means available to find a job, and pray that God will work through the means. Lord, help me to persevere in networking with others, and use the connections that you have given me to open a door for new work.Parenting: Lord, use these parents to guide their children.Church leaders: Lord, grant wisdom to the elders and enable them to effectively guard the church.When you grasp that God works through means, it will shape how you pray. You will be grateful for the way God works through the means, and you will give glory to Him.How are you praying about your own situation? What are you asking of God? Remember to give glory to Him when He works through means.