Chutzpah
When we were growing up, my father kept a can of WD-40 in the house and in his car. It seemed it was the end all be all for almost everything. But what is WD-40? It literally stands for Water Displacement, 40th attempt. In 1953, the chemist, Norm Larsen, was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion – a task which is done by displacing water. Larsen’s unyielding tenacity and persistence paid off when he perfected the formula on his 40th try. Larsen had, what the Bible calls, chutzpah (khoot-spuh).
Matthew introduces us to a Gentile woman who had chutzpah (Matthew 15:21-28). Her daughter was violently and cruelly demon-possessed. She had no hope of ever seeing her daughter normal again, playing on the roads, or walking down aisle on her wedding day. She was hopeless, until she heard Jesus was in town, the same Jesus who had exorcised a demon on the Sabbath. Her faith came alive because she had heard about Jesus’ power at work in the lives of others. With this in mind, she approached Jesus boldly and persevered with unyielding tenacity. She had the gall, the brazen nerve, the incredible guts, the audacity to overstep the boundaries of accepted behavior, with no shame, in order to get help for her daughter. She had chutzpah! Jesus responded to the unyielding persistence of her desire and healed her daughter. Take time to carefully read the narrative.
Man, I wish I had that kind of chutzpah in my prayer life. Sometimes I pray and if I don’t get an answer the first time, I give up. I stop praying. I stop approaching. I stop crying out to God. That’s not chutzpah! Chutzpah is having the raw nerve, the gall, the incredible guts, and the audacity to be persistent with God. Now, it is not an attitude of arrogance, but an attitude of unyielding tenacity that recognizes that God is sovereign, good, just, loving and desires what’s best for his people. I wonder how many of our requests God has not granted because we lacked chutzpah. So, when you pray, do it with chutzpah!
Do you have chutzpah? What prayers have you seen God answer because of your chutzpah? What other questions does this post raise for you regarding chutzpah in prayer?
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June 19th, 2009 at 12:25 am
Marvin,
I been reading your insightful thoughts and meditations for awhile. This one really confirmed for me and my family that God will answer earnest, sincere, persistant prayer. Philipians 4:6-7 has been the scripture that I am studying with my nephew this month. My "Chutzpah" has been lacking and God has reminded me and your column has as well re-iterating that prayer is our serious converstation (s) with God. I am teaching my 11 year old nephew to develop his chutzpah, while God is telling me to continue to develop mine own. Thank you
June 19th, 2009 at 1:12 am
Ginger, I really appreciated your comments, and they confirmed my decision to write this post this morning. You are not alone in the continued development of your chutzpah. I am still developing mine daily. I think intimacy with our heavenly Father paves the way for developing chutzpah. Intimacy is developed through consistent and honest conversation with Him. Tell your nephew that God can be trusted to do what is best for those who follow him. Grace and peace, Ginger.
June 21st, 2009 at 1:58 am
Thanks Marvin My name is Kym (kim with a Y). Gingerbreadsister is my onlime name and my business. My nephew is very inquisitive and loves to read. His lastest question that we are researching in the bible is __"Who are God's Parents, how was he born?" To an 11 yeaar old I AM is a bit overwhelming and I love that he wants to learn more and he continues to amazes me in his growing (both spiritually and physically) maturity. Keep writing, Grace and peace to you as well.
June 21st, 2009 at 3:03 am
Sorry about that. i will make a note of it, Kim with a Y. : ) Thanks for the comments. Your nephew asks great questions. I believe that is a sign that God is at work in a unique way in his life. Encourage him to keep asking questions, and keep pointing him back to the Bible. It (the Bible) must always trump our opinions. Blessings on you and your nephew!