photo credit: Steve Corey <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/22016744@N06/38582927741″>Invited to Dinner !</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/”>(license)</a&gt;

“Make a wish!”

As a youngster, I made many wishes on turkey wishbones.

Evidently those bones failed to fulfill the wish of the turkey. His fondest wish to avoid capture and death did not come true.

Paul, with faith in the Lord and love for his people wished to see the salvation of his kinsmen.

“I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites (Romans 9:1-4a NASB).”

Israel’s orthodox Jews were in need of conversion and confession. Paul made their salvation his heart’s desire.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God (Romans 10:1-3 NASB).”

Our salvation, our forgiveness of sin is ample reason for thanksgiving and praise.

“He made him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB).”

Wishing on bones from a turkey carcass is foolish. I do pray for the salvation of many I hold dear. May God’s Spirit break my heart and give me a heightened sense of urgency to persevere in prayer.