More often than not, the person who desires the prize is not the person swinging the hammer. A young child may desire a stuffed toy, but it is a parent or other adult who possesses the strength to bring the hammer down with enough force to ring the bell. Left to his own strength, the child would never be able to accomplish the task.
A similar scene is played out repeatedly. A child looks longingly at the prizes on display. The parent looks at the yearning in those young eyes and is moved by a desire to please his/her child. That parent then pays to play the game and steps up to the platform. With another look into that young child's eyes, which are now filled with hopeful, expectation the adult summons his/her strength and proceeds to swing the hammer.
The pure joy and delight that is expressed by the child when the bell goes off is all the reward the parent needs. “I knew you could do it! Thank you, thank you!” This confidence accompanied by joy and gratefulness brings a joy beyond expression.
In the spiritual realm this scene is played out over and over again. There are gifts and callings that we look forward to and long for. All too often these are beyond the limits of our own strength and abilities. But if these desires are from the Lord and He will joyfully win them for us.
Often, the blessings that we seek have been placed before us by the Lord himself. God is the one who has set us on the path by which we will see blessings that he has placed for us. As we obediently follow His path, we will come in contact with the plans He has for us.
As a child can barely lift the heavy hammer, on our
own we are not strong enough to win our battles. God alone is strong enough to
meet the challenges of life. “The Lord is
my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I
am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise
Him.” (Psalm 28:7 AMP) We are to be strong in the Lord.
We find this strength by simply being quiet and trusting in God. “Let be and
be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted
among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10 AMP) As we continue to live our daily lives serving Him, the Lord will fight
our battles and obtain all that He has determined to give us. We must remember
that we are His children and trust Him. “But Jesus called them [the parents]
to Him, saying, Allow the little children to come to Me, and do not hinder
them, for to such [as these] belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to
you, whoever does not accept and
receive and welcome the kingdom
of God like a little child [does] shall not in any way enter it [at all].” (Luke 18:16-17 AMP)
We keep our joy and focus on Him. “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He
will give you the desires and
secret petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose
each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also
in Him and He will bring it to pass.” (Psalm 37:4-5 AMP) God has planned good for us when we look for His ways. “But seek (aim at and strive after) first
of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right),
and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6:33 AMP)
As the child walks hand in hand with
the parent, we walk with the Lord daily. Not every child receives every prize
at the Fair because a loving parent knows what is best. Likewise, our Heavenly
Father knows when and how to direct and bless His Children. We follow, trust
and wait for His leading and provision. “My
soul, wait only upon God and
silently submit to Him; for my hope and
expectation are from Him.” (Psalm
62:5 AMP)
Walk hand
in hand with your Heavenly Father. He will show you the gifts and callings you
desire. Jesus has already died to win them for you!
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