God on the Pier

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for." — 1 John 5:14-15 Max Lucado is one of our most contemporary inspirational Christian writers. A former pastor and author of many books and devotionals, he writes about our God, who listens to His children when we speak: "You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter His presence, the attendants turn to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God, and he listens." Max Lucado tells the story of another popular author, apologist and evangelist Josh McDowell, who was attending seminary in California, when his father went home to be with the Lord. His mother had died years earlier, but Josh was not sure of her salvation. He became depressed, thinking that she might be lost. Was she a Christian or not? The thought obsessed him. "Lord," he prayed, "somehow give me the answer so I can get back to normal. I've just got to know." It seemed like an impossible request. Two days later, Josh drove out to the ocean. He walked to the end of a pier to be alone. There sat an old woman in a lawn chair, fishing. "Where's your home originally?" she asked. "Michigan — Union City," Josh replied. "Nobody's heard of it. I tell people it's a suburb of . . . " "Battle Creek," interrupted the woman. "I had a cousin from there. Did you know the McDowell family?" Stunned, Josh responded, "Yes, I'm Josh McDowell!" "I can't believe it," said the woman. "I'm a cousin to your mother." "Do you remember anything at all about my mother's spiritual life?" asked Josh. "Why sure, your mom and I were just girls, teenagers, when a tent revival came to town. It was the fourth night and we both went forward to accept Christ." "Praise God!" shouted Josh, startling the surrounding fishermen.* God is a God who listens to our every request! Maranatha!