Four Paws from Heaven by M.R. Wells

Author:M.R. Wells
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736949538
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).

Consider This

Is God nudging you to strain for the gain in an area of your life? What about it is frightening or difficult? What prize do you stand to gain if you persevere? What resources might be available to help you press on? How might you encourage others to strain for a godly reward?

Dogged Perseverance

God Loves a Persistent Pray-er

Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.

NEWT GINGRICH

Morgan and Biscuit know what they want, and they are determined to get it. One thing they go after is treats. They have begging down to a fine art, and they have learned who the suckers are.

My housemate is one such easy mark. When she’s cooking or eating, they plant themselves in front of her and stare. Though she may scold them (puppy eyes boring into you makes it a little hard to chew), they know she loves them and delights to please them. They stand (or sit or lay) their ground, hoping they will soon prevail. Usually, she rewards them with scraps and a bowl or plate to lick. Their dogged perseverance has paid off.

At times, Morgan’s also doggedly persistent about climbing onto my lap. My boy dog loves to snuggle. He waits by my chair or bounces beside me when I first sit down at my computer. He knows he can’t perch on me all day, but he wants his morning cuddle. When I lift him up, he kisses my chin, then settles across me to bathe or snooze till I put him down. He has learned I delight to give him this good thing.

Of course, I don’t just give the dogs whatever they want, whenever they want it. They must wait till the end of a meal to get table scraps. And Morgan knows to back off his bouncing and go under my desk if I command him to. I remain in charge, granting their petitions in a way that promotes discipline and character.

Our heavenly Master does the same with us.

Jesus told His disciples a parable about a widow who kept on pleading with a judge in her town to give her justice. At first the judge tried to ignore her, but he gave in at last. He didn’t care about her cause; he just wanted to get her off his back. Jesus sought to encourage His disciples to persist in prayer, since our heavenly Father, unlike that judge, cares about our welfare.

My friend Claire knew this parable and believed it. She persisted in prayer for years for her niece to meet Jesus. This niece had suffered a childhood trauma that made her angry and bitter. Her mother had been snatched from her suddenly, killed in an accident. The child wondered how a loving God could let such an awful thing happen.

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