In this “Word for Wednesday” I want to have us truly consider the question, Do I trust God for all things?
One indicator of our trust level, is the way we pray. What words, phrases, and emotions do you express when you pray? We know we are to approach God in prayer with all thanksgiving, then let our requests be made known to Him. Philippians 4:6 states, ” . . .do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Think back over the last couple times you’ve spent time in prayer with God. When you prayed did you display any level of pleading, begging, frustration, anxiety, worry, fear, dread and the like? If so, you have evidence of areas of where your trust in God is weak.
Weak trust in God is always based on a misunderstanding of the character, will, and intention of God, as revealed in His Written Word. The misunderstanding can be due to sheer ignorance—never being taught or exposed to the truth, or having been incorrectly taught about God. Misunderstanding the character, will, and intention of God can also be from deception and confusion implanted by the enemy of God—Satan, the Father of all Lies. In the Garden of Eden Satan deceived Eve and Adam by sowing seeds of doubt and also appealing to the pride of the eye, the lust of the flush and the pride of life. Through wily and intentional efforts the enemy successfully caused the first man and woman to doubt God’s instructions and His intentions for them, bringing them to reject God and His ways, preferring instead what they believed was their own way, when in fact it was the way of the devil.
Another question for us today is Do I really want to personally know God or do I merely want what He can do for me? Again, any fear or hesitancy on your part to want to personally know God, is evidence of misunderstanding the character, will, and intention of God. 1 John 4:16 reads, “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” God is love. It’s God’s love for us that motivates everything He does for us. If you tend to emphasize the truth that God is also Judge, then you don’t have a proper understanding. God’s judgment undo condemnation is preserved for those who reject Him. For those who love God, the judgment is discipline to help us in our understanding and response to Him. He wants us to be in a position to receive all the good and perfect blessings He has for us. Christ was born, lived, and died to fulfill the penalty of humanity’s rejection of God, to redeem those who will believe, who then become joint heirs with Him. Everything that belongs to Christ, is available for us. Yet, how many Christians do we see actually living a life in the manner of Jesus?
When Jesus prayed to the Father, He prayed first with requests consistent with the will of God. Then based on 1 John 5:14 (ESV) “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us,” Jesus boldly petitioned the Father. If we are confident we are praying according to God’s will, we have every reason to believe the prayer will be answered. God’s will is revealed in His Written Word, in the Living Word of Jesus, in our spirit by the counsel of the Holy Spirit. If God’s specific will is unclear, we can lean on His character and His proven excellent intentions in our lives and the lives of others.
This truth does not mean we will escape every hardship and adversity in life. No, we will experience adversity, which we must understand does not come from God. Life adversities and hardships are a result of sin in this world. However, Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection assures us the victory to overcome every obstacle of life. We have to partner with God and His Power to overcome—the victory is achieved by partnering with God.
Prayers we lift up according to the will of God, that do not involve the will of any human being, such as having our physical needs met, we can pray with utter confidence and thankful expectation for His answer to our prayers in His perfect timing. Prayers that intersect with the human will, such as praying for the salvation of loved ones, are subject to choices our loved ones make. Therefore, when praying for matters that are impacted by human will, ask God to bring people, situation, and circumstances into their lives to cause them to choose correctly.
I understand what it’s like to have matters lifted up in prayer to God for years and not experience the prayer answered. This can be due to spiritual warfare or praying amiss. If it’s spiritual warfare, we are to wage against the enemy of God—the powers and principalities and rulers of darkness. Praying amiss is praying with anxiety, doubt, fear and such. James 1:6-8 makes abundantly clear “But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
Let me ask you one last question for today: How is it you can trust God for your eternal supernatural future, but have difficulty trusting Him for your temporal natural concerns?
Note: I recently spoke before a group of seasoned ministers, pastors, and church leadership. In prayerfully seeking the Lord about what topic He wanted me to speak on, I heard “Money.” I have never presented a message about money. Yet, I will say this was one of the most impacting messages the Lord has had me present yet. The message is entitled “Faith and Finances.” If you think your church can benefit from sound, biblical messages such as “Faith and Finances” or any other topics I discuss, please us our CONTACT page so we can explore my presenting further.
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