To bow like a saint

Fri night, when we heard that Rich was in critical condition, God led me to this passage in Finney's book "Power, Prayer and Passion". I was struck by why God led me to it.

It said - to pray effectually, you must pray with submission to the will of God. It spoke of King David. When his child was sick, David agonised in prayer and refused to be comforted. But as soon as he heard the child was dead, he laid aside his grief and arose. While the child was yet alive, he did not know what was the will of God and so he fasted and prayed. He did not know but that his prayer, his agony, was the very thing on which it turned, whether the child was to live or not. He thought that if he humbled himself and entreated God, perhaps God would spare him this blow. But as soon as God's will was clear, and the child was dead, he bowed like a saint.

After God led me to this passage, I began to realise that it was likely God would take Rich home. But I was still disappointed in God that He would do so, because I thought He should honour the prayers of his saints. It is only now, gradually, that I'm beginning to see that God had more in mind - for our good, and His glory...

Prayer today: Father God, Finney wrote of David, "But as soon as God's will was clear... he bowed like a saint." Even as you call me to pray, help me not to be disappointed in you when your answers come in a different way from what I expect. Help me, as soon as your will is clear, to bow like a saint. To submit to your higher purpose. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Cor 13)" You have your reasons for the things you do - help me to trust always in your loving, wise ways. In Jesus' name, Amen.