Have you ever made a deal with God? You know you want something and you promise God if He gives you your desire you'll do something in return. I remember the first time I made a deal with God. It was the seventh grade, and I was doing real poorly grade wise that year. Now when I was going to school, your report card went home with you that last day of school. You did not have to wait to get it in the mail to find out about your future year to come. When you went home with that report card in your hand it said passed or failed.
I remember this as if it were yesterday. The day before the last day of school, I knew I was in trouble. I knew that if I came home the next day and that report card showed me failing my grade, what my grandmother Moore would do. There were plenty of switches on the hedges and of course that razor strap was still hanging on a nail in the closet, . Yes I can see it in my minds eye now. That razor strap, with a circle made of metal on one end for hanging it. And two pieces of leather hanging down from it, one piece of leather slightly longer than the other. Yes I can still see that razor strap. And I felt it on my legs and on my behind many a time. So here I was, the day before what I thought would be my assassination, because I just knew, that if I failed my grade, she would kill me, LOL. So I laid in bed, tears rolling down my face, saying a prayer to God and bargaining with him. I can still remember the bargain I made with God that night. I promise God that if He would please let me pass my grade, that I would make all A's the coming year.
The next morning off I went to school still afraid of what my report card would be. Well, I had passed my grade, which C's. But to be very honest, I didn't do that well the following year either. I reneged on the promise that I had made God.
I write this, because I was reading Genesis chapter 28 this morning. In that chapter in verse 20 and 21, you'll see how Jacob made a bargain with God.
Genesis 28:20
And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
Genesis 28:21
So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: .

As was I, Jacob is showing his immaturity by making bargains with God. It's due not only to mental immaturity, but spiritual immaturity too. As we grow in our spiritual maturity we come to realize these very important facts. God is in control, God knows what He's doing and we would do well to understand that God's will is best for us. God sees the whole picture while we only can see a small piece of the puzzle. I once prayed to God at a time when I was deeply in need. I prayed for something that I never received. After a few years I realized that as I prayed, God was smiling down on me saying" my child I have so much better for you than that". And sure enough, six years later God gave me what would indeed make me the happiest I've ever been and the most well-off.
Trying to make deals with God never has a good outcome, Just look at what happened to Hezekiah, Jephthah and many others in the Bible. But believing that God knows every need of your heart. Believing that God will supply you with everything you need to make your life joyous is the beginning of maturity in your spiritual life.
Not my will be done, but Thine, holy God.
Until next time, Willard and I both wish you health and happiness, God bless and God save.