11/27/2022
Do we pray with assurance? Are we trusting and bold enough to ask God for those things we consider truly impossible? I am not referring to those things that would go against His character, or are outside His will, but for those things that seem too difficult and even impossible to us.
“For nothing will be impossible with God.””
Luke 1:37 ESV
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the world that we lose sight of what the nature of God actually is and in certain situations we look at life around us through moral eyes, but not the Godly eyes of Jesus as we ought. It can be easy to do acts of kindness, or goodness, in the world and forget to include God in them. In this way we do what we will, but not as God wills, or we do things that seem right on their surface, but do great harm in the end. We pray, but pray for those things that please or benefit us, yet must be justified in some twisted way to make them appear to be of God. Perhaps we side with a man in prison who has done great wrong rather than visit him in prison to speak to him about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and being transformed in Him.
“And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’”
Matthew 25:39 ESV
The dividing line between our will and God’s, or between simple morality and righteousness, can become blurred by Satan, who is in the world, because he is a devious and crafty liar. He rages in the one minute and is subtle and sly in the next.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8 ESV
He tempts us by taking what we have been told by the Holy Spirit is God’s will or conforms to God’s nature, and tweaks it just enough to make it our own… his own. By wily subterfuge, and half-truths he attempts to reduce righteousness into something ungodly, but moral, or an absolute truth into a white lie that appears to be harmless and apparently good.
“Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
But for our Heavenly Father who is perfectly Holy, nothing is impossible for Him, and He can do all things. But always remember that there are certain things He will not do… He will not lie, or otherwise do things that are against His nature, and He won’t act against His will. There is a big difference between “Can do all things”, and “Will do all things”.
So how do we know how to pray, or what to expect from God? To do this we must believe in Him and Jesus Christ, we must ask to know the will of God and adhere to it, and we must delve into His Word so that we come to know who He is, and what His nature actually is. If we do these things then our prayers will be truly prayed in the name of Jesus, and we will see that nothing is impossible for our God.
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”
John 14:13-14 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your righteous and holy nature, who you are, and for your perfect will. Thank you for transforming us in Christ to be your children, and like you, so that we can pray as we should, and in the name of Jesus. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God for whom nothing is impossible. Praised be your name for separating the moral from the righteous, and your will from ours and others. Merciful are you for allowing us to pray for those things that are impossible for us, but child’s play for you. Great are you who created all things with a word, raised Lazarus from the dead, and redeemed the world through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus your Son. Your grace abounds, and knows no limit to those who believe. We thank you for every miracle, great and small, every blessing, from the amazing to the routine, and we give you all the glory for them all. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus, and cleanse us of all sin. Resurrect us with Christ, and give us life everlasting. There is nothing impossible for you Lord, not saving the sinner, raising the dead, or transforming our lives into righteous, holy, and eternal lives with you. Praised be your name always, and forevermore.
Rich Forbe