04/21/2020
Where do we go for relief in our times of distress? Who comes to help us when we are in trouble? When we are in need of rescue, who is it that charges to our aid? Although most Christians say that it is Jesus Christ, or our Father God, do our actions betray our words? When we find ourselves in a challenging situation and we quickly say a prayer, that is good, but if we then turn straightway to our friends and family without waiting for God to respond then what have we really accomplished in faith?
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 ESV
David went to the Lord over and over again during his life, and the book of Psalms stands testament to his heart, and faith. He was certainly not a perfect man by any stretch of the imagination, but he did trust in God, and he was faithful in knowing that God would provide for him here, and now... not just in heaven, but here in the land of the living.
“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
Psalm 27:13-14 ESV
There was a painful time when I faced an enormous challenge in my life, and I prayed each day for God to give me relief from it, but as soon as I had picked myself up from the floor of my prayer closet, and closed the door behind me, I would go about my day trying to solve the problem on my own.
Then one afternoon a person came to me for help, and I said that I would do this thing for them, but instead of waiting on me they went immediately to their brother, and asked him for his help instead... I was hurt and disappointed that their confidence in me was so shallow.
The next morning I entered my prayer closet, and as I was asking the Lord once again for help in my own painful challenge, it suddenly dawned on me that my faith in Him was Just as shallow as my friend’s had been in me. I wept at the hurt I had caused my Father, asked for His forgiveness, and then after I prayed that day for His deliverance I walked from my prayer closet leaving my trouble confidently in His hands. It didn’t take long before He answered, and solved my problem.
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.””
Isaiah 41:10, 13 ESV
How firm are we in our faith when we come before the Lord, and ask for His deliverance? Are our prayers lifted up in expectation, or simply offered because we have been told to pray? Do we wrap our faith in living prayer, or is it dead; has it become an empty shell filled with nothing... hollow and devoid of all expectation, hope, and trust? Do we truly trust that God not only hears, but acts upon our prayers, and do we find peace in that? Do we maintain our peace in the midst of our waiting?
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
So, trust in prayer because God not only hears our every word, but He also answers us...
“And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.””
Mark 11:22-25 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for hearing our prayers, and for answering them. Thank you Lord for giving us an understanding of your will, and character, so that those things we ask you for are righteous, and acceptable. Teach us to pray in your will always, and to trust perfectly in your answer as we wait on you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose Word never fails us, who provides for our every need, and rescues us from all adversity. Praised be your name as you help us in our unbelief, and teach us to pray expectantly through the guidance of your Holy Spirit. Great are you who knows no defeat, and in whom all things are possible. All glory is yours Father, and the successes in our lives stand testament to you alone. Give us strength in our faith as we come to you for help, and let our trust In you allow us to lay the worst of our problems comfortably in your hands. Forgive us Father for those times when we have doubted, and keep us secure now, and forevermore, in our dependence on you.
“Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”
Psalm 33:20-22 ESV
Rich Forbes