January 15, 2004, Roger, Prestatyn

LEAVE HIM TO IT

Recently I bought a CD of Gospel songs sung by the famous American ‘Country’ singer, the late ‘Gentleman’ Jim Reeves. In this compilation is a song made popular by the silky-voiced Harry Belafonte. It is ‘SCARLET RIBBONS.’ Not exactly ‘Gospel,’ I thought, but its message is, I believe, very pertinent today. Here is how it goes: “I peeped in to say ‘Goodnight,’ then I heard my child in prayer: ‘And for me, some scarlet ribbons, scarlet ribbons for my hair’” We get this picture of a sweet little girl, possibly kneeling by her bedside. She has obviously prayed for everyone else and closes with, “as for me” this simple request for scarlet ribbons. Her father, loving his daughter deeply, is stirred into action. Scarlet ribbons she wants; scarlet ribbons she shall have! Her prayer must be answered! He launches into town only to find, “All the stores were locked and shuttered, All the streets were dark and bare. In our town no scarlet ribbons, no scarlet ribbons for her hair” We can imagine him returning home extremely upset. And it didn’t stop there. He couldn’t sleep: “Through the night my heart was aching” How disappointed his little girl would be. He had failed in his attempt to see her prayer answered. Hadn’t God heard her prayer? Or is it that God couldn’t be bothered to answer? The verse continues: “ Just before the dawn was breaking, I peeped in, and on her bed, In gay profusion, lying there- Scarlet ribbons, scarlet ribbons, pretty scarlet ribbons for her hair!” Frankly, I find this song very emotional. Surely, this is how it should be when we pray. We are told to pray, even petition - but combined with thanksgiving (Philippians Chapter 4 verse 6) I don’t see a continual hammering on the walls of heaven appropriate. Surely we need to back off and let God get on with it? Faith requires being sure and certain, (Hebrews chapter11 verse 1) not being in a constant state of tension. There is no evidence that the little girl even exercised particular faith - she simply asked, then went to sleep and God was pleased to answer. Many of our prayers do not seem to receive answers and we get concerned. Yet if Jesus Christ really is ‘the same yesterday, today and forever,’(Hebrews chapter 13 verse 8), we can expect him to respond in his good time, in the way that we shall see is best. We must leave Him to it! The song concludes: “If I live to be a hundred, I will never know from where Came those lovely, scarlet ribbons, scarlet ribbons for her hair.” But WE know!