We probably think that that’s obvious, but how we view God may just reflect that we, in fact, do believe that we are God’s boss.  I was thinking earlier this week of a song we used to sing in  churches I attended, Jesus Is On The Mainline, and thought about the lyrics which I believe helps to promote a wrong thinking of our position as lowly and God’s position as Creator God and King.

Jesus is on the mainline, Tell him what you want

Jesus is on the mainline, Tell him what you want

Jesus is on the mainline, Tell him what you want

Call him up and tell him what you want

If you’re sick and you want to get well, Tell him what you want

If you’re sick and you want to get well, Tell him what you want

If you’re sick and you want to get well, Tell him what you want

Call him up and tell him what you want

 

Call him call him, Tell him what you want

Call him call him, Tell him what you want

Call him call him, Tell him what you want

Call him up and tell him what you want

 

If you want your soul revived, Tell him what you want

If you want your soul revived, Tell him what you want

If you want your soul revived, Tell him what you want

Call him up and tell him what you want

God is not our Santa Claus or errand boy, he is our Creator. He is sovereign over all things, and creatures. It is he that has made us and not we ourselves. All of our desires, we must submit to him as requests to be considered.

There is an account in the Bible where a leprous man approaches Jesus, let’s look at his approach:

“While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And we he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately the leprosy left him.” Luke 5:12-13 ESV

The leprous man’s approach was subservient to Jesus. He fell on his face and begged him and yet, left it to Jesus’ will. I somehow think that our “rights mentality” has crippled our ability to bow.

“Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” Ephesians 3:12 NLT

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NIV

Just because we have direct access to God through Christ, does not mean we are able to “tell him what we want”.  All of our appeals, yes, they should be appeals, not demands, are always submitted to him, and we must, like the leper recognize our request is subject to his will. Jesus Christ illustrated this when he prayed – desiring not to go through with drinking the cup of wrath.

“saying, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Yet not my will, but yours be done.’” Luke 22:42 ESV

I don’t believe any of us would expect that we could directly approach our government leaders without certain clearances, and once those clearances are met, we still would not barge in and make demands. I’d like to think that we would respect the position of the person to whom we are making an appeal. Even in writing this, I recognize that we’ve lost certain protocols, socially acceptable behaviors, manners to an over exalted self, but I still believe we would respect the position.

In America, but perhaps not unique to America, there is a sense of entitlement that makes being subservient to a greater, somewhat difficult. It requires a shift in our thinking.

Perhaps, it would help if we consider the Bible account of God’s interrogation of Job, a righteous man, whom God allowed to be afflicted:

“Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: 2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? 3 Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. 4 Where were you when I laid down the foundations of the earth? Tell me if you know so much.” Job 38:1-4 NLT

It is God to whom we must answer, and give an account. I’ve sung that song  ‘Jesus is on the mainline, tell him what you want’ over and over in church, without really thinking about it. I’m supposing we, I, sung it believing that having direct access to God gives me the right to tell him what I want. I’m supposing that I saw my access to him as a right, and not a privilege.

We are not the boss of God. I don’t think that I’ll be singing that song anymore.

” And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.” Hebrews 13:4 ESV