Negotiating From A Position of Power

In the world, if you are trying to broker a deal you always want to do so from a position of power. You want them to know you will walk away, they need you more than you need them, you are in control so it is in their best interest to do what you say. It is a good way to get all you want.

But it is a terrible way to approach God.

First of all, we will never be able to match the power of God. He will always be in more control than we are. Yet we try it nonetheless. We bargain. Offer to stop doing something we shouldn’t be doing or start doing something we should. We bully. If you really loved me, if you are really there God you will do what I ask. We deal. If you will just give this to me, I give you something of value.

But does God need what we have? No, all things are already his. Should our love and obedience be terms? No, they are things we already owe him. Trying to leverage this way is an exercise in futility

We must consider that God isn’t a competitor in our relationship He is our Father.

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

Matthew 7:11

We should come to God as children of a loving Father. He knows what we need and is willing and able to care for us. When he doesn’t respond the way we want, it isn’t because he trying to ‘get one over on us’ but rather he is protecting and caring for us. He will listen to us not because we have the power but in our weakness.

A good parent wants good things for their child. They want to bless them. They give not because they are forced to but because of love.

Are we not blessed to have a Father in heaven like that!

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Until Midnight

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Ecclesiastes 12:10

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