The second claim that I must realize is my claim on God. My claim on Him is a legal right that God cannot refuse, the right to utilize and tap God’s resources when my own resources have run their limit. For example, there is no sense asking God for strength to get to church on Sunday mornings when my own two good legs will easily carry me there. But if I were paralyzed and it was God’s will that I go, then I would have the right to tap God’s power to get me there. On this point God could not rightfully refuse, and His power in this situation would be the same as if it were my own.
The method by which I stake my claim upon God is by means of His promises. The promises of God, by the way, are not for everybody, and I will get myself into a lot of mischief by claiming them at random. There is no point in citing Philippians 4:19 as a claim upon God for money if I have thousands of dollars of my own in the bank. I may present my claim only when I am in the center of God’s will and when I have run out of resources. Then I may come before God with His promise, claiming what is rightfully mine. His promise is a far better check than any bank draft; His power has far greater healing properties than any medicine.
I think of Moses, who tapped God’s power to open the Red Sea of Elisha, who tapped God’s oil reserves for the impoverished widow; of I Daniel, who tapped God’s wisdom for the solving of mysteries, and I realize that these men were bold enough to stake their claims upon God, and they won. May God give me equal grace and make me equally victorious! “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness … by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises” (2 Peter 1:3–4).
“For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are yes; wherefore also by Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Daily with the King 