Thursday July 14


“You do not have because you do not ask.”  Jas 4:2 NKJV

Getting what you want (3)

Notice: (1) There are benefits you won’t receive unless you ask for them. Plus, “asking and receiving” works wonders for your self-esteem. Imagine the joy these five daughters felt when their petition was granted. Obviously they were emotionally secure or they wouldn’t have tried it. So as a redeemed child of God, declare, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Ro 8:31). (2) Timing is important. “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences” (Pr 27:12 NLT). The daughters of Zelophehad spoke up while they were still in the wilderness; the Promised Land hadn’t yet been conquered. There’s nothing like good planning. You can’t just sit around and assume others are thinking about your welfare. For example, after the raises are announced is not the time to petition your boss for an increase. Zelophehad’s daughters made life better for every other woman in Israel. So by speaking up and confronting the situation not only will you be blessed, others will too. (3) Strive for a win-win situation. The battle was not yet over. The daughters of Zelophehad had uncles who appealed the new ruling, pointing out that if these women married men outside their tribe then their land holdings would go to other tribes. So God made another ruling; to possess land you must only marry within your own tribe (See Nu 36:5-11). And when it comes to marriage, spiritually speaking that principle still applies. “She is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord” (1Co 7:39 NKJV). The same for men.