Faith Filled Family Magazine September 2016 | Page 43

Listening in to Those with Influence
I remember as a child being invited in, on rare occasions, to
the adult world. Mom (but usually Dad) would have a
friend or friends over to the house, and I would sit
and listen to the conversation. The dialog was
often above my comprehension, but the
thrill I felt just being included was overwhelming. Of the voices heard, the one
I wanted to hear the most was that of
my father. His strong, masculine voice
was attended to above the rest; just
because he was my dad.
As joyous as it was to listen in to my
parents’ conversation, how much
greater would it be to listen in to the
conversation between the Father and
Son, as they discussed the future plans
for all mankind. Well, in this passage
of scripture we indeed have the privilege
of listening in to this special conversation
between the Father and Son. The discussion
surrounded the purpose of the King and his Kingdom. In the heart of the King, and in the Son was to see
the nations pay homage to the King. It was a conversation filled with
emotion, with mutual respect and admiration.
The Father declares that the faithful Son can ask for whatever he
wants. The Son, desiring to please the Father asks for the nations.
This is his prayer, and should be ours as well. Of course, the answer
is assured; in His time.
Prayers like this lead to an expression of true identity. The fact is, the
Father was proud of the Son, and the Son wanted to honor the Father.
Like Father, like Son, like his sons and daughters. The nations need
Christ. There is a heaven to gain, and a hell to shun as the old phrase
goes, and the responsibility of the church is to give all people groups
the opportunity to have life in Christ. It is truly unethical to withhold the
path to life from the nations. For in Christ we find the hope of the present and future.
What do you mean Ask?
The word to ask in this passage is the word Sha’al, a word with multiple meanings, including inquire, request, demand, beg, borrow, lay to
charge, consult, desire earnestly, obtain leave, lend, pray. In this passage there are four emphases of this word. Each gives a picture of the
purpose of God for our asking.

Me & Mine Towards Change

nents as a prize?” The Message Bible.