Battles And Front Lines Devotional By Rita SpringerShembull

The Sand Owner

My friend Deborah is the most talented human I have ever met. Her artistry is breathtaking, and I am convinced there is nothing she cannot accomplish. Deborah has a beach house on the southern coast. One day, she told me the story of a storm that came so strong, it tossed most of the priceless sand on her beach front into her neighbor’s yard. The island where she lives has erosion issues, so sand is a big deal. It was obvious that her sand was in the neighbor’s yard, but when she went to ask for the sand back, he told her he would sell it to her at a high price!

Deborah turned around, went out on her deck for prayer time, and yelled up at God (literally!). She shouted out and asked God to kindly give her sand back because, after all, He was the rightful owner of it anyway! A short time later, a hurricane blew in and tragically tore her neighbor’s house to pieces. Deborah’s house survived! The city sent out an excavation crew with some surprising news—her property was in line with where they wanted to create a build-up to stop erosion. They asked if they could truck in free sand and dump it in front of her beach! Deborah threw back her head in laughter and yelled a huge “THANK YOU!” to the heavens!

I want that boldness! The boldness to ask God for what I want or what I need. I’m not talking about a selfish asking but a righteous asking! Have you felt robbed? Taken advantage of? Are you tired of being timid and scared of the outcome? I think God wants us to ask him for the sand like Deborah did! I think he wants to give us back what the enemy has taken. What I love about her story is that when she was on her deck shouting her praises to the heavens, she was bold to believe that God was listening! Maybe weakness in faith comes because we ask without believing that He is truly listening. If you are struggling with a need, maybe it’s time to get bold and find the one who owns all the sand on all the beaches and start shouting out your need!