Joel M Bradshaw

9If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.–Proverbs 28

I used to own an 1985 Chevy Astro Van that I called “The Beast”. The Beast always had something wrong with it. And at some point, my more mechanically-minded friends told me to pick up a Chilton Manual or a Haynes for the vehicle. So I went to the local auto parts store to the magazine rack and searched through the makes and models and years and found the one that fit. Pretty much every repair type and procedure was listed in there. I, who had almost no knowledge, and was a poor youth pastor who couldn’t afford much, had at least some chance of knowing what was going on.

And I have journeyed with people who have had great problems of their own. I always listened for some time and then they wanted to know my thoughts. When I did it right, I took them to Bible verses or passages or characters that had come to mind. For example, someone who was angry and bitter would eventually get introduced to bitter Naomi from the book of Ruth and what unfolded theologically in her journey with God and her issues.

But some just wanted advice or encouragement. Even though they admit they had come to a pastor, they didn’t really want to hear from the Bible or what God had to say about their issues. They just wanted to feel better about themselves. God’s word brings clarity to darkness, hope for hopelessness, and strength for the weary. But it involves trust and dependance. A person unwilling to hear God’s word, the Bible, explained to them, can’t start making expectations of God.

“Pastor, can’t God just solve my issues and let’s move on?”
“God offers hope and direction through the Bible.”
“I don’t want to hear that stuff.”

Today’s proverb is like me thinking because I had a Chilton Manual, that I was good to go with any auto repair. I still needed the tools and the skills to attempt the repair. At best, the manual took a noob like me and brought me into the conversation. I knew what parts looked like and how they generally fit together. I could take off the doghouse on The Beast and recognize what I was seeing. Where the spark plugs and distributer cap were, etc.

I at no time thought that I was going to do major repairs on my own. Usually, I just brought my book with me to my mechanic friends and they checked it out. What made my van different from other vans, etc. Others want the comfort of knowing someone who can offer help, but don’t really want to hear what God has said on the matter in the Bible.

Today’s proverb is like a person saying, “God, I don’t really care what you have to say, but I want you to solve my problems anyway.” Most who are like that arent as overt, but harbor it in their heart.

The proverb calls certain prayers abominations. This should cut deep regarding motivations and expectations. How we view God and depend upon His Word, the Bible. Just some thoughts.—JMB