10TH NOVEMBER

JUST PUSH!

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much”
(James 5:16, NKJV)

PUSH – Pray Until Something Happens – is a popular acronym that encourages Christians to persevere in prayer.
The story is told about a dedicated Christian in Umudunu village, Abagana. Everyone acknowledged that this man lived righteously and God blessed him with worldly goods. It is said that, one night, God appeared to hom and instructed him to push against a large rock at the edge of his property with all his might. Obediently, the man did so, toiling many days, till he became sore and worn out – yet, the rock did not move an inch.

The man’s muscles toughened, as he learnt patient endurance. He persevered as the days turned into weeks. After a while, it seemed that this task had become a distraction from his flourishing business. Feeling discouraged and weary, he thought of giving up. He blamed himself, worried that he must have done something wrong. The voice of accusations of failure within him seemed to overpower the voice of the Saviour he had heard.

Suddenly, like reading a scroll, the man remembered two popular scriptures: “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16); and “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21). He decided to seek God’s direction in fasting and prayer. As his prayer of tears rose up into God’s bottle on the third night, the Lord spoke compassionately: “My son, I gave you a task to push against the rock with all your might, not to move the rock. You have exercised your faith in my wisdom and become strengthened, learnt patience and perseverance.”

Sometimes, we interpret visions and words from God with our own intellect, when actually what God asks is just obedience and faith in Him. We become consumed with producing visible results that we seem to forget that it is not by our own power but by the Spirit and grace of God. As we exercise the faith that moves mountains, we must always remember that it is God Himself who moves the mountains.

ACTION: When everything seems to go wrong; the job gets you down; people don’t react the way you think they should; your money looks gone and the bills are due; people just don’t understand you…just PUSH (Adapted)

PRAYER: Lord, you have the power to roll away every mountain of problem in my life. Take control now and let relief and rest in you.