Large petitions with thee bring

                               A little food for weekend thought:

     The words to the great hymn, "Thou art Coming to a King"--
Come, my soul, thy suit prepare:
Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He Himself has bid thee pray,
Therefore will not say thee nay;
Therefore will not say thee nay.

Thou art coming to a King,
Large petitions with thee bring;
For His grace and power are such,
None can ever ask too much;
None can ever ask too much.

With my burden I begin:
Lord, remove this load of sin;
Let Thy blood, for sinners spilt,
Set my conscience free from guilt;
Set my conscience free from guilt.

Lord, I come to Thee for rest,
Take possession of my breast;
There Thy blood bought right maintain,
And without a rival reign;
And without a rival reign.

As the image in the glass
Answers the beholder's face;
Thus unto my heart appear,
Print Thine own resemblance there;
Print Thine own resemblance there.

While I am a pilgrim here,
Let Thy love my spirit cheer;
As my Guide, my Guard, my Friend,
Lead me to my journey's end;
Lead me to my journey's end.

Show me what I have to do,
Every hour my strength renew:
Let me live a life of faith,
Let me die Thy people's death;
Let me die Thy people's death.

      I awoke early this morning burdened by a number of dear friends in hard places--serious illnesses, prodigal children, aging parents, terrible losses of loved ones.  But even in the predawn darkness, the Lord immediately brought the words from this hymn to mind, especially "Thou art coming to a King, large petitions with the thee bring; for His grace and power are such, none can ever ask too much."  
     Thank You, Father, that You invite us to come to You and lay our burdens down and You will give us rest.  "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." (Ps.50:15)   "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God." (Ps.42:11)
     Such is our God and there is none other.  Might we this day bring our large petitions to Him, trusting that "He is able to far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within  us." (Eph.3:20)  
     He is mighty to save, and we will come before Him with our petitions large and small, trusting in His perfect power, perfect love, and perfect plan.  To God be the glory.