09/11/2024
My reading started with a quote from Martin Luther today that said: "The Christian trade is prayer." Then, was followed with a quote by Pastor E.M. Bounds which added these words to Luther’s statement... "But the Christian has another trade to learn... He must learn perfect obedience to the Father's will." This is different than simply attempting to perfect ourselves in God’s Word. Bounds tells us we must discern and obey God's will for us. Our perfection and obedience to the commandments and many other things of faith can be handled through our daily faith and prayers, but the first, and most important, prayer each day should be for the Lord to reveal His divine will to us. This is an all-important prayer, and until we have prayed it, our various other prayers are wounded. So we must seek out God's will for us before reaching a fullness in the "trade of prayer."
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalms 139:23-24 KJV
How can we order our thoughts, prayers, and deeds, if we don't understand God's will for us, our families, and the world? I once heard a saying that has stuck with me through the years, and it goes like this…"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.", and I have since found this to be very true. Friends, we are not meant to be wanderers in our faith, we have a definite goal, and a very particular destination to reach. Our road of faith is narrow, well defined, and directed by God’s plan and will. Yet, until we know His will, how can we possibly be anything more than wanderers? Listen to these three verses…
“The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall remain in the congregation of the dead.”
Proverbs 21:16 KJV
“My God will cast them away, Because they did not obey Him; And they shall be wanderers among the nations.”
Hosea 9:17 NKJV
“Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 6:9 NKJV
Seeking the will of God leads us out of the desert; it takes us from a place where we wander, and everything looks the same, to one with a purpose and a way to follow. Israel was made to wandered in the desert…
“And the Lord's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the Lord, was consumed.”
Numbers 32:13 KJV
But Jesus wasn't lead into the desert as a punishment, No, He was led there to show his righteousness.
“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”
Matthew 4:1 KJV
http://bible.com/1/mat.4.1.kjv
We need to be like Jesus; we need to know the will of God and let it define us and how we will behave in the world before we encounter its temptations. Then when we pray, our prayers will be as they ought.
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
Romans 8:26 KJV
This morning I pray that we each seek and understand the will of God, and then order our prayers accordingly. I pray that if any among us is wandering this morning that the Holy Spirit will help them to discern the will of God and that it will lead them into the prayers of the righteous, and on to the way of Christ. May God reveal His will to us today, and bless us beyond measure.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for revealing your will to us, and for allowing us to understand it so that we can adhere perfectly to it. Thank you Lord for all prayers, but help us to understand that none are of value unless they are prayed within your will. As we pray each day let us remember to ask, as Jesus did, that your will be done and not ours. Let our will be wrapped and sealed in yours, and our desires bear the emblem of your kingdom and authority. Our prayers mean nothing without your blessing and seal of approval upon them Father, and unless they are delivered in the name of Jesus. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is with us always, and has a plan for our lives that is in conformance with your divine will. Give us insight into it so that we can serve you perfectly as we obey you in all things. Keep our feet on the straight and narrow path you have prepared for us Lord, and fix our eyes on the narrow gate and the distant towers of your Eternal Kingdom. Pour your mercy and grace over us Abba as we travel the road home, and walk every step in accordance with your will and plan. Hear our prayer each morning when we ask to know your will for this our day, and hear every prayer throughout the remainder of the day and night as we pray them within it. Give us strength in our belief, faith, and all that we do in obedience to your will, and let our journey of righteousness be pleasing to you, and forever bring glory to your name. As we draw near to your mercy seat Lord, let us hear the voice of Jesus praying in intercession for us, and His plea for our salvation as He says “May this be your will for them Father.”…
““Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they will see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the world’s foundation.””
John 17:24 CSB
Amen, Amen, Amen and forevermore… Hallelujah!!
““For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.””
Jeremiah 29:11 CSB
“Then he [Jesus] withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.””
Luke 22:41-42 CSB
Rich Forbes