05/04/2025
Do we command that the promises of God be fulfilled? Is our assurance in God's Word more than humble trust and faith in it? Is our expectation that He must honor His contract with us down to every letter and term as we have come to understand them? Well, perhaps we should take a step back, and rethink how we approach God and conduct ourselves in prayer.
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Hebrews 10:19-22 ESV
I was at the altar one Sunday morning praying for those who came seeking intercession. There was a young missionary down the way from me doing the same, and in a loud voice I heard him pray "you promised this and we demand that it be done." My hair bristled as I heard that... had I spoken to my earthly father in such a tone there would have been hell to pay, and I am quite certain that speaking to our Holy Father in such a manner would draw the same reaction from Him.
Our only authority before God is through the blood of Jesus, and there is no example of such an attitude being exhibited by Him towards His Father. So where do we get the idea that such language is acceptable for us? Is it from God's love? I hardly think so. Is it from His grace? I don't think that holds water either. So, if Jesus doesn't address His Father in this way, and it isn't an attribute of love or grace... then what makes us feel like we are entitled to do so?
God has renewed our spirit and given us a gentleness. Scripture instructs us in how to speak to one another...
“to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
Titus 3:2 ESV
So, if this is the way we are told to speak to and treat one another, then, isn't this also the appropriate way that we should speak with God? Yes! In Micah we read what is required of us and humbling ourselves before Him is paramount. Who are we to command or lord ourselves over Him?
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8 ESV
We should approach the throne of God on our knees and speak honorably and lovingly to our Heavenly Father. If we do otherwise, we are attempting to place ourselves above God himself and in this there is much danger for our souls.
“May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, "With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?"”
Psalms 12:3-4 ESV
Are we meek and humble before our God who created and commands all things… even us?
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,”
Hebrews 12:28 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I humbly come before you. I thank you for your truth and the honor that is in your word. Your promises are certain, but they are subject to your will and your timing; I practice love and obedience in my prayer life and strive to become long suffering in each prayer that I pray and to temper my anticipation of your answers as I wait upon them. Help me Lord to mind my tongue and humble my mind that controls it. Help me to pray that your will be done and give me the meekness and gentleness of spirit needed to wait patiently in the expectation of your response. Never let my worldly pride stand between my soul and your mercy seat. Never let my arrogance surface because it is distasteful and unwarranted, and I pray that you will help me defeat any sense of entitlement I feel as I come to know you more intimately. Make me more like Jesus with each passing day, and let my arms not tire as I hold your cup to my lips. You are my God, and Jesus my redeemer… before you I kneel in awe. In your presence my sense of self-importance withers and is overcome. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who hears my prayers and answers them when my requests of you are made in accordance with your will, and spoken with the heart, manner, and in the name of Jesus Christ your Son. Holy are you who loves me, provides for me. and desires to give me every good gift. Holy are you who sent your Son Jesus to live, suffer, and die for me, and merciful and full of grace are you who gave Him the authority to raise Himself from the dead so that all sin and death would be conquered in me through Him. So, I pray that you will feel the humility I have in my soul as I approach your throne Abba, and that the love and meekness of Jesus that fills my heart will please you as I come into your presence in prayer. Let no sense of entitlement exist in me, only the assurance that your Word is true and that you are a good and loving Father to me. This is my prayer, and I offer it with a humble heart, and speak it to you with a meek tone of voice, and in a manner appropriate for a loving child. I am in awe of you Abba, and worship you aided by the love and grace you have clothed me in… my armor that once protected me now exchanged for white linen robes. Your Son Jesus, and your Holy Spirit are gifts I don’t deserve, and yet you have given them lovingly to me as well. For them I thank you, praise you, and give you all the love, honor, and glory, that fills my heart as I kneel in your presence. Great is your name and deserving are you above all.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!!!
Supporting Scripture:
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
Matthew 7:11
“10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 2:10-12 ESV
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV
Rich Forbes