Why Not Ask?
Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. – Mark 10:46-52.
Why not ask God for what you need? It seems that many Christians have the attitude toward asking God for something that many of us men have about asking for directions. If after our 30th attempt to find our way, we have had no success we may finally bring ourselves to ask someone for directions.
There has been a movement over the years to bring chastisement and make little of those “less spiritual” people who have the nerve to pray selfishly asking God to do something for them. I would suggest to you that those who suggest that praying for something that will benefit yourself is not spiritual are out on an unscriptural limb. If the formerly blind Bartimaeus were here to share, he would tell you that you ought to go ahead and ask for what is needed in your life. After all that is exactly what Bartimaeus did. He asked for the whole thing. He didn’t ask for Jesus to give him a little bit of money, or food, or some clothes. No, he asked for what he really needed which was to see. He asked for the impossible.
It took faith for Bartimaeus to ask because everyone around him was telling him to be quiet and not to bother Jesus with his insane plea. For us to ask, for you to ask for something personal – for what you really need that will actually solve problems takes faith. The very act of asking is an act of faith and Jesus as we see with Bartimaeus rewards faith. Because he asked, Jesus said to Bartimaeus, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” Immediately the world of Bartimaeus was drastically, radically, wondrously changed – he could see!! As a result, Bartimaeus followed Jesus.
Do you have enough faith to ask? What if Bartimaeus had never asked? What a tragedy that would have been for him and for us! Please, defy those who would keep you on the sideline, on the side of the road, and…ask!!
(Why not ask God for what you need?)