Judges Chapter 13: verses 8-12 (NIV-UK)
Then Manoah prayed to the Lord: ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I beg you to let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born.’
God heard Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman while she was out in the field; but her husband Manoah was not with her.The woman hurried to tell her husband, ‘He’s here! The man who appeared to me the other day!’
Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he said, ‘Are you the man who talked to my wife?’
‘I am,’ he said.
So Manoah asked him, ‘When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule that governs the boy’s life and work?’
James Chapter 1: Verse 5 (NIV-UK)
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
I love this account of Manoah’s acceptance of God’s word, unlike Zecheriah, the father of John the Baptist whose circumstances were very similar. Zecheriah asked “how can this be possible?” Manoah asked, “How do you want us to do this?” Manoah’s prayer to God acknowledged and accepted the promise God had made. He simply asked God for guidance on how to bring up the child that had been promised. God answered that prayer.
God will never turn down our request for guidance and help to do what He has asked us to do. It proves that we don’t want to do things our way, or in our own strength, but God’s.
James reminds us that its okay to do so, and that God will not think less of us for asking. If anything, when we are given an important commission or task, it already shows some wisdom when we take the time to do so. Better to have the attitude of Manoah than Zecheriah when God speaks to us!
Dear Lord,
I love the attitude shown here by Manoah. Help me to copy it and not be slow to ask for guidance and help that is available through Your Holy Spirit. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.