11/23/2024
Do we desire something from God, but alter our prayers because we think we are asking too much of Him? We might initially say that we don’t do this, but if we are honest with ourselves we just might find that we are guilty of doing so subconsciously as we prepare to enter into our prayers. Do we trust in the true ability, and desire of God when it comes to our provision, healing, love, or defense? Let’s look at these things today…and the omnipotence, and the omnipresence of God… it might just change our lives, and our prayers.
Yesterday I spoke of removing the artificial constraints we put on God and the impact this has on our faith. Today we will dwell on God's ability to do anything He wills, and to use us in achieving this. Sometimes when we find ourselves waiting on Him to answer a prayer we begin to doubt that He hears us, or can do what we have asked of Him, but neither of these are true, nor does He lose interest in us, our lives, or what He has willed for us to be, to do, or deliver to the world. What woman would dare to dream that she could possibly give birth to God in Christ. What man would hope to part the sea, or command a mountain to move from here to there? Yet we can do all of these things and more if we will trust, have faith, and believe in Him.
“And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”
Luke 1:35-38 ESV
I have been as guilty as anyone when it comes to dumbing down the requests I have made of God. I have found myself structuring my requests of Him based NOT on what I believe His will to be, but what I think would be easiest for him to accomplish. Do you do this? Do you subconsciously find yourself seeking to help God provide for you by asking Him for some lesser thing that you think He can easily give you, and not that big desire which is truly what you think He wants, and that you honestly seek?
Here is an example... Lazarus... he had been sick and finally died. Jesus was asked to heal him, but He tarried and by the time He arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Mary and Martha thought it was too late to do anything for their brother, but Jesus said to them that he would rise again. At this point, Martha tried to reduce her request to something she felt Jesus could do; she said:
“Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."”
John 11:24 ESV
Martha couldn't grasp the unbound power of God and how that flowed through Jesus in its entirety, so she changed what she truly desired (for her brother to be alive right now) to something she felt Jesus could provide. But the story doesn't end there and we are all taught a lesson...
“Jesus said to [Martha], "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."”
John 11:40-44 ESV
God's power knows no bounds; what we believe to be impossible is trivial to Him, and what we believe difficult is child's play. We pray for those things that we understand or are slightly beyond our ability, but God provides things we can't begin to understand and that are as far from our abilities as the east is from the west. Martha knew that Jesus could heal her brother, but she felt that raising him from the dead was impossible.
What do you desire in your life that you think is impossible? If it is within the will of God... pray for it... and pray for it... and pray for it. Then recall and trust in the words of Jesus spoke to Martha…
"Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”"
Prayer:
Thank you Father for hearing our every prayer, even those we pray innocently contrary to your will. Father, open our eyes and understanding to the fact that nothing is beyond your ability to provide. Raise our faith in your omnipotence, even as you raised Lazarus from the dead. Lord, let us seek your will and then ask with total disregard to our own abilities and without consideration for what we believe to be possible. You are our God and there is nothing beyond you; help us come to you with that realization. Help us see that the great things in faith, which have been worked in this world to the advancement of your kingdom, have often appeared impossible. Lord lift our expectations in prayer and bolster our faith, just as you did Moses when you told him to part the Red Sea, bring water from stone, and feed manna and quail to your people. All is possible with you, and our faith should never be limited by our humanity, or our ability to see your divine glory. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God in whom all power, presence, and unchained time dwell. Holy are you who loves without bounds, and who is merciful and good in all you do. Help us Father to see the good in our lives, even in those things, and times, that break our hearts, and grieve us mightily. Show us life and creation as you see them, not as we are so feebly able. Open our mouths that we might speak of you. Open our eyes that we will see the good, and look upon the sorrowful, with empathy and a desire to heal. Open our arms so that we become comforters, able to embrace those who mourn at the height of their aching. Open our hands so that we can lovingly stroke the faces of those who weep, and wipe and kiss away their tears. Open our hearts to allow your grace to flow from us, and your forgiveness to be realized, and completed in the penitent. Do these things through us Father and show us that although we are weak in ourselves we are mighty in you, and that nothing is impossible, nor beyond your ability. Do these things in us to bring glory to yourself, and blessings upon all those who seek you. In this give us spit and dirt that we might open the eyes of the blind to you.
And all those who see, hear, and do, the will of God say… Amen! Amen! Amen!
“Behold, God is great, and we know him not;
the number of his years is unsearchable.”
Job 36:26 ESV
“7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.”
Psalm 139:7-12 ESV
“The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.””
Genesis 18:13-14 ESV
“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”
Revelation 19:6 KJV
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
John 14:13 ESV
Rich Forbes