06/25/2024
This morning we are contemplating the fact that God means what He says and that includes His Word regarding prayer. Scripture tells us as much. First and foremost to understanding this is the promise that God can't lie. But, how about us? We can, and we do lie, so how is it that we are able to come to the Lord in prayer? How is it that we can possibly be worthy of entering into His presence? It is by His perfect Word, and the promise He gives us in Jesus our redeemer.
“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”
Titus 1:2 KJV
Being truthful is our greatest comfort in the character of God... Can you imagine serving a Lord who might be lying to you at any given time? If He told even one lie it would undercut our trust in Him and destroy our confidence in His intentions towards us. Thankfully the Word of God tells us that He not only will not lie, but cannot lie.
“And now, O Lord God, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:”
2 Samuel 7:28
And by virtue of God's truthfulness, we also trust equally in Christ.
“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;”
Hebrews 6:18-19 KJV
Now, having established God's character and especially His truthfulness, we have confidence in those things he promises. His Word says that He will hear our prayers even as we speak them.
“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”
Isaiah 65:24 KJV
But, beyond just hearing our prayers, He acts upon them; yet not arbitrarily. For our prayers to be answered we must have unwavering faith in God; trusting in Him without doubt, and then we must be in alignment with His character and will.
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
John 15:7 KJV
“Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
Psalms 37:4-5 KJV
On this subject Pastor E.M. Bounds makes a statement that requires some comment...
"The ability to pray can be secured by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, but it demands such a strenuous and Nobel character that it is a rare thing for man or woman to be on praying ground and on pleading terms with God." – E.M. Bounds
Read by itself this would greatly limit the hope that Christians have in prayer. How could we ever hope to approach the throne of God? We are fallen creatures who could never reach the nobility of character spoken of here, but thankfully we have the blood of Christ to cleanse us and lift us up.
If you notice in the Lord's Prayer one of the very first requests made of God is one of forgiveness; "forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." Without the redemption of Christ our prayers would fall short of the mark. Jesus understood this and taught us to approach God by asking for forgiveness. In Jesus we are worthy and our broken character is restored to flawlessness.
So we understand that God never lies and that if we have faith and allow his will to guide us, that He promises to hear and respond to our prayers. We also realize that in beginning our prayers we should ask His forgiveness using our own forgiveness of others as our gauge. Asking God for the ability to forgive should always be highly sought in our prayers... It is pivotal in being able to come before Him for anything further. Jesus teaches us the value of forgiveness through not only His life, but also His passion, death, resurrection, and Ascension... Pray for it always.
So this morning as we pray let's ask for forgiveness, and then for guidance in obtaining a more perfect exercise of forgiveness in our lives. Let's thank God for all He does for us, and praise Him for who He is... Trustworthy, gracious, and merciful among boundless other things. Then above all let's thank Him for His love; a love that brought His own perfect son into a fallen world... where He redeemed us. Then as we have gained worthiness through Jesus let's talk with God regarding the desires of our heart and those things that cause us concern.
I am going to conclude with a prayer of David, but, if this morning you feel unworthy, (just as David did) don't lose faith... You are not the first, and I remind you to hold onto the understanding that through the blood of Jesus Christ you are forgiven and made righteous once again. Listen as David voices his feeling of unworthiness…
“Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?”
2 Samuel 7:18 KJV
Prayer:
Father thank you for teaching us to forgive others as you forgive us, and we thank you for forgiving us by your mercy and grace when we come to you with humble and contrite hearts. In Jesus we have thus been made perfect, and as we forgive and are forgiven, we receive your promise of eternal life, and of answered prayer. Help us Holy Father to hold firm to your Word and the promises you have made us regarding these things. Thank you for making us worthy in Christ to step into your presence. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who promised us in absolute truth, and from the foundation of creation, that it is your will for us to live with you in eternity. To this end you gave us your Son Jesus to be our redeemer, and the gift of prayer so that we could communicate with you. Praised be your name for our creation, and for making a way for us to be forgiven through the blood of Jesus who took on our sin, and defeated death for us. It amazes us that you would use our own willingness to forgive others as a means of your forgiving us. In your perfect truth we find our hope and in your promises, we take comfort that if we believe and have faith in Jesus, and that if we forgive others, obey your will, and call on the name of Jesus… we will be found worthy by you of eternity in your presence. Praised be your name, and all glory be yours forever, and forevermore.
Amen, Amen, Amen!!
Rich Forbes