03/24/2020
All that we do every day should be done for the glory of God. When we are set upon by our enemies, and we call upon God for help, it shouldn’t be to satisfy our own selfish reasons but to free us so that we might better do His will. We should summon His aid so that He can demonstrate His might, and His love for us before all the world. Our testimony regarding deliverance, provision, and His love, should always be given to glorify our Heavenly Father alone.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
When we are troubled, in need, or our enemies have come against us, how do we pray for help? When the world is in the midst of a terrible famine that is laying waste to the land, or as a people we face a deadly plague that is ravaging our bodies; how do we view these events, and how do we pray for deliverance? Do we pray a selfish prayer “Father help me!”, or do we pray “Thy will be done!”? Our prayers should summon God from His silence into action so that His glory might be like a light that shines through us for all to see. We are never to think that we are the light that shines on God.
“O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!”
Psalms 83:1 ESV
It is easy to become self centered, and to get the wrong perception of our importance, and who we are before God. It is common for men to look at God’s Word, and think that they can twist it to their advantage, or somehow maneuver Him through it. Some of us study the Word of God so that we might serve Him better, but others search His Word for their own selfish reasons... seeking a weapon of advantage, a tool, a path to glory, and all this as they look to lift themselves up.
“Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?”
Matthew 22:15-18 ESV
So I ask... how, and why, do we pray, study, and call out to God? Do we humble ourselves before Him, or confront him as the Pharisees did Jesus... or are we seeking to trap Him, like Satan did during the temptation of Christ by looking to turn God’s own Word into a perversion as he attempted to destroy the relationship of Jesus with His Father. Then again, maybe we seek to satisfy our own wants as the Israelites did in the wilderness... begging for food and drink to sustain themselves?
“So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, "At evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?"”
Exodus 16:6-7 ESV
In the desert God fed manna to the Israelites to show them it was He who had saved them, and to demonstrate His glory. Their prayers were self serving grumblings, but His provision was made that He would be glorified. How then should we, who often pray for our own gratification, pray yo Him?
“O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads.”
Psalms 83:1-2 ESV
We should pray that our enemies, who are God’s enemies, would be defeated. We should pray that we be fed and receive water because our bodies are not our own, but God’s temple.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV
We should pray for our land, not because it is ours, but because the Lord gave it to us, and He did so to His own glory, and for His own purposes... that we would worship Him there.
"When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations.”
Deuteronomy 18:9 ESV
Today the world faces yet another plague, and it is shaking the very foundation of man’s society, and his newly erected Tower of Babble. So I ask again... ”How, and why, do we pray, study, and call out to God?”, and I ask this specifically as it deals with what we are facing today. If we find that we are practicing the “abominable practices of those nations”, shouldn’t we pray for our forgiveness, the salvation of our enemy’s soul, to be reestablished in God’s land, and for a return to righteousness? If we are hungry, or thirsty, and grumbling, shouldn’t we be asking God to shore up His body, His temple, and not just to satisfy our own Painful wants? If our earthly fortunes are being destroyed shouldn’t we be praying for our treasure to be increased in heaven?
“Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord. Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.”
Psalms 83:16-18 ESV
Our prayers should be lifted up to glorify God, and for the accomplishment of His will in the world, and in us. In this way we will be heard, God’s enemies conquered, His temple (our body) provided for, and our eternity with Him secured in Jesus Christ...
“Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.”
Matthew 26:42-44 ESV
We should Pray now as we ought... for God’s will to be done, and that He will be glorified.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving us, and calling us out to join you in doing your will, and in being shining examples of your glory to all of creation! Father we pray today that your purposes in this plague, which is embracing the world, should swiftly accomplish your purposes, and that the suffering of your people be minimized as the earth is scourged, and shown your power and glory. Help us Holy Father as we testify to all who would listen that you are our God, and our Salvation. Help us as we do your will, and demonstrate your goodness, mercy, and grace before the fallen world. Give us strength, and provision as we stand humble in your Word, yet bold before your enemies. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who reaches out fearfully to the lost, and shakes the earth to call them to you. Praised be your name as your saints gather to worship you, and give testimony to your mercy, and grace. Let our prayers be as those of your Son Jesus; let us pray that your will be done, that your name be hallowed, that your kingdom come. Hear us as we pray for our daily bread, and for your forgiveness as we forgive others, even your enemies. Hear us Lord as we plead for you to lead us not in temptation, but deliver us from evil; not simply for our sake, but for yours, and for your glory. Hear us now, and forevermore as we pray the prayer that Jesus instructed us to offer in secret for all mankind...
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:6, 9-15 ESV
Rich Forbes