"Don't worry about people having their own choice and free will. When God works a sinner can change his mind in a hurry." I have been going through a lot of trials in my life regarding my two teenage daughters, ages 15 and 17. Trying to do the right thing, I have been in a lot of prayer, and although I know God can have the victory, I have been somewhat defeated by the thought that even though I could pray until my knees bleed, they still have free choice. I think I have gotten sidetracked with that thought. Today I got a letter from a missionary friend who says that churches in America are weak and have no power. He has seen things that he only ever read about here in America. He constantly encourages me to pray more - and a key of prayer is faith. If I am praying that God will intervene and change hearts...but then I fret about free will...am I having any faith? I am still working through all this, but I do know that the above quote gave me some peace and hope...and I wanted a place to post it where I could remember it.
It kind of reminded me of a song I learned when I was young:
When the Canaanites hardened their hearts against God,
And grieved Him because of their sin,
God sent along hornets to bring them to terms,
And to help His own people to win.
If a nest of live hornets were brought to this room,
And the creatures allowed to go free,
You would not need urging to make yourself scarce,
You’d want to get out, don’t you see!
They would not lay hold and by force of their strength,
Throw you out of the window, oh, no!
They would not compel you to go against your will,
But they would just make you willing to go.
When Jonah was sent to the work of the Lord,
The outlook was not very bright.
He never had done such a hard thing before,
So he backed and ran off from the fight.
Now, the Lord sent a great fish to swallow him up,
The story I am sure you all know.
God did not compel him to go against his will,
But He just made him willing to go.
CHORUS:
God does not compel us to go, oh, no!
He never compels us to go.
God does not compel us to go against our will,
But He just makes us willing to go.
2 comments:
I, too, have struggled about this question, praying for my son's salvation for no less than twenty years. Praise God, His will was accomplished. During those years I came to rely on His promise:
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16 KJV)
I asked for prayer for myself as well as my child. You now have my prayer for you and yours.
Thank you. That means so much to me! *tear* How wonderful that your son accepted Christ!
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