Penciled Prayers: Why Do You Call Me 'Lord, Lord?'

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you" (Luke 6:46).

As I read this verse last night, I knew immediately You were talking to me. The rebuke was loud, stern, piercing, loving. I know, Lord, Your inquiry was rhetorical because You know my thoughts and the intentions of my heart. What I think, say, and do in secret is only hidden from man. Nothing is hidden from You, Lord.

Lord Jesus, You know why I say, even shout, "Lord, Lord," yet disobey You. It is because I do not love You as I should!

Please forgive me, Lord, for my disobedience. While grateful to know I face the discipline of a loving Father instead of a wrathful Judge, facing Your fatherly discipline is a crushing thought. O Father, You are good when You discipline me, just as You would have been good had You chosen to allow me to perish in my sinfulness instead of to save me from Your righteous wrath and judgment, for my sin against You is great.

I thank You, Lord,, for adopting me as a son instead of leaving me a spiritually orphaned child of wrath. Thank You, Father, for saving me from You by drawing me to You, through the gift of repentance and the gift of faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ.

But how thankful am I in those times I do not do what You tell me in Your Word? How disgraceful, how hypocritical for me to call You '"Lord" and then not do what You say? How hollow my words must ring in Your ears, Lord, when I call You "Master," I say I love to be Your "slave, yet walk in disobedience? Wretched man that I am! And yet You love me. Thank You, Lord. Thank You for Your forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

Holy Spirit, help me to live in obedience to the commands of my Lord. And help me to do so motivated by love for Christ and love for people. I want to obey You, Lord.