Psalm 50:14-16
Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me. But to the wicked person, God says: ‘What right have you to recite My laws or take Me covenant on your lips?’
We have just celebrated Memorial Day and truly it is a time to honor those brave souls who have paid the price for us. In like manner there are many saints of God who paid the price by dedicating their lives for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
During war time and in the heat of battle many soldiers huddled down as low as possible not knowing if the next enemy shell would land close enough to obliterate them. It was in those moments that some prayed a foxhole prayer. (By the way it is not essential to be in a foxhole or even in physical battles to pray such a prayer.)
I would define most foxhole prayers as bargaining with God. We ask the Lord to get us out of the situation we are in and if He does then we will serve Him. I love the faith of the three Hebrew children facing the firey furnace if they refused to bow down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
I think their proclamation of faith rings across the centuries of time as an example for all of us. They said they knew their God was able to deliver them, but even if He did not, they would not bow down. That is the gut level faith that goes beyond the selfish foxhole prayer that only seeks immediate relief. May we all place our lives into the hands of a mighty God who does all things well.
God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil