A Pastor with GUTS!
Thought you might enjoy this interesting
prayer given in Kansas at
the opening session of their Senate. It seems
prayer still upsets some
people.. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open
the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was
expecting the usual generalities, but this is
what they heard:
Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask
your forgiveness and to seek your direction and
guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those
who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we
have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed
our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it
the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it
welfare...
We have killed our unborn and called it
choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it
justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our
children and called it building self esteem....
We have abused power and called it
politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions
and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and
pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values
of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts
today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Amen!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
A Real Relationship with God
A Real Relationship with God
by Joyce Meyer
When you think of religion, what comes to your mind—a set of rules, regulations and obligations or a deep, intimate relationship with God?
I like to consider myself someone who has a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I believe He died so we could have a living, vital relationship with God, not just a bunch of rules and regulations we're forced to follow.
Yes, there are certain guidelines God wants us to follow, but His purpose in giving them is to protect us from the consequences of sin.
When we have a real relationship with God through Christ, life gets exciting because He stirs up a passion inside us to love people—and we don't have to struggle to do the things He calls us to do. It just happens naturally.
God Is Not Mad at You
If there's one thing people need to hear over and over again, it's this: God loves you. That's all there is to it. He may not like everything you do, but He's never going to stop loving you.
God is not impressed with your works at all. What He cares about is your heart.
I believe the greatest thing God wants to hear from us is, "I love You, Lord. Thank You for everything You've done in my life. I want to do what's right. Keep teaching me."
Many of us don't pray and ask God for what we need because we don't think we have a right to ask. But the Bible says God wants us to learn how to receive His mercy.
Hebrews 4:15 says we have a High Priest, a perfect Savior, who understands our weaknesses. He's been tempted just like we are, yet He never sinned.
Verse 16 says we can come fearlessly and confidently before God in prayer to receive His mercy and be forgiven.
New Creature, New Features
"Legally" you become a Christian when you make the decision to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior. And after you receive Him, God begins to change you into a brand-new creation.
We shouldn't be making up religious rules to live by, like having to read our Bible every single day; nor should we do whatever we want to because we know we're going to heaven when we die.
Christianity is about living a vibrant, exciting life in Christ, and it goes hand in hand with developing a personal relationship with Him. Jesus wants us to be in love with Him.
Know What Really Matters
I was thinking one day about how judgmental I used to be about the way some people dressed. Not long ago, I might have thought that I couldn't wear jeans and teach, but my son said to me, "Do you really think that God anoints polyester more than denim?"
It took some things like that to shock me into the realization that I was just holding on to a religious attitude, when God wanted us to freshen up our look in order to reach more people.
Sure, it's good to dress nicely when we go to church. But the bottom line is, we shouldn't be so focused on our outward appearance that we lose sight of our main goal: developing a close, personal relationship with God.
Living Your Life with God
God wants to be involved in everything we do. He wants us to fellowship with Him, which means communicating with Him throughout our day just like we do with someone who's our close friend or family member.
Knowing God loves us, loving Him, spending time with Him, and being grateful for what He's done and is doing in our lives can help us have a real relationship with Him.
by Joyce Meyer
When you think of religion, what comes to your mind—a set of rules, regulations and obligations or a deep, intimate relationship with God?
I like to consider myself someone who has a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I believe He died so we could have a living, vital relationship with God, not just a bunch of rules and regulations we're forced to follow.
Yes, there are certain guidelines God wants us to follow, but His purpose in giving them is to protect us from the consequences of sin.
When we have a real relationship with God through Christ, life gets exciting because He stirs up a passion inside us to love people—and we don't have to struggle to do the things He calls us to do. It just happens naturally.
God Is Not Mad at You
If there's one thing people need to hear over and over again, it's this: God loves you. That's all there is to it. He may not like everything you do, but He's never going to stop loving you.
God is not impressed with your works at all. What He cares about is your heart.
I believe the greatest thing God wants to hear from us is, "I love You, Lord. Thank You for everything You've done in my life. I want to do what's right. Keep teaching me."
Many of us don't pray and ask God for what we need because we don't think we have a right to ask. But the Bible says God wants us to learn how to receive His mercy.
Hebrews 4:15 says we have a High Priest, a perfect Savior, who understands our weaknesses. He's been tempted just like we are, yet He never sinned.
Verse 16 says we can come fearlessly and confidently before God in prayer to receive His mercy and be forgiven.
New Creature, New Features
"Legally" you become a Christian when you make the decision to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior. And after you receive Him, God begins to change you into a brand-new creation.
We shouldn't be making up religious rules to live by, like having to read our Bible every single day; nor should we do whatever we want to because we know we're going to heaven when we die.
Christianity is about living a vibrant, exciting life in Christ, and it goes hand in hand with developing a personal relationship with Him. Jesus wants us to be in love with Him.
Know What Really Matters
I was thinking one day about how judgmental I used to be about the way some people dressed. Not long ago, I might have thought that I couldn't wear jeans and teach, but my son said to me, "Do you really think that God anoints polyester more than denim?"
It took some things like that to shock me into the realization that I was just holding on to a religious attitude, when God wanted us to freshen up our look in order to reach more people.
Sure, it's good to dress nicely when we go to church. But the bottom line is, we shouldn't be so focused on our outward appearance that we lose sight of our main goal: developing a close, personal relationship with God.
Living Your Life with God
God wants to be involved in everything we do. He wants us to fellowship with Him, which means communicating with Him throughout our day just like we do with someone who's our close friend or family member.
Knowing God loves us, loving Him, spending time with Him, and being grateful for what He's done and is doing in our lives can help us have a real relationship with Him.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
How to get comfortable with God
How to Get Comfortable with God
By Joyce Meyer
Do you know how much God loves you?
God proved His love for us through His Son, Jesus, who died for our sins. But, for some reason, it's hard to carry on a conversation with Him. We can be so distant.
I bet God really gets a kick out of how some of us talk to Him. We can be so serious and formal. "Oh, Lord Most Higheth! Howeth my heart doth longest for Thee!"
We need to get comfortable with God. I don’t mean disrespectful, but we should know that He loves us and that we don't have to be afraid of Him.
The Importance of Spending Time with God
First Corinthians 8:6 says that God created us to live for Him He's given us the gift of life and He wants us to enjoy it!
You can have a joyful, fulfilling life by living in close, personal relationship with God. But in order to get there, you have to spend time with Him. God doesn't want to just be the button we push when we have an emergency.
Whether we know it or not, without God, we are always in an emergency. Without Him operating in our lives, helping and protecting us, there isn't one of us who knows one iota about anything we're doing!
Unlimited Time, Unlimited Blessings
You and I can spend as much time as we want with God. We have an open invitation to invite the Creator of the universe into our life each day. We get to speak to Him personally and read the book of instruction that holds the answers to everything in life.
The devil doesn't like that. That's why he works so hard to tell us that God doesn't want to be around us if we're not perfect. I've got a news flash: We aren't ever going to be perfect. That's why Jesus went to the cross for us!
We can go to our heavenly Father as often as we like and He will never get tired of us coming. The Bible says we can come boldly before God fellowship with Him, and have our needs met.
James 4:8 says, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. God the Father longs to fellowship with you. The moment you accepted Christ into your heart, God made His home in you. So kick up your feet, get cozy and enjoy the company.
By Joyce Meyer
Do you know how much God loves you?
God proved His love for us through His Son, Jesus, who died for our sins. But, for some reason, it's hard to carry on a conversation with Him. We can be so distant.
I bet God really gets a kick out of how some of us talk to Him. We can be so serious and formal. "Oh, Lord Most Higheth! Howeth my heart doth longest for Thee!"
We need to get comfortable with God. I don’t mean disrespectful, but we should know that He loves us and that we don't have to be afraid of Him.
The Importance of Spending Time with God
First Corinthians 8:6 says that God created us to live for Him He's given us the gift of life and He wants us to enjoy it!
You can have a joyful, fulfilling life by living in close, personal relationship with God. But in order to get there, you have to spend time with Him. God doesn't want to just be the button we push when we have an emergency.
Whether we know it or not, without God, we are always in an emergency. Without Him operating in our lives, helping and protecting us, there isn't one of us who knows one iota about anything we're doing!
Unlimited Time, Unlimited Blessings
You and I can spend as much time as we want with God. We have an open invitation to invite the Creator of the universe into our life each day. We get to speak to Him personally and read the book of instruction that holds the answers to everything in life.
The devil doesn't like that. That's why he works so hard to tell us that God doesn't want to be around us if we're not perfect. I've got a news flash: We aren't ever going to be perfect. That's why Jesus went to the cross for us!
We can go to our heavenly Father as often as we like and He will never get tired of us coming. The Bible says we can come boldly before God fellowship with Him, and have our needs met.
James 4:8 says, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. God the Father longs to fellowship with you. The moment you accepted Christ into your heart, God made His home in you. So kick up your feet, get cozy and enjoy the company.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Overcoming When You Are Overwhelmed!
Overcoming When You Are Overwhelmed!
You have more to reach out for than hold onto
Background:
David had sinned with Bathsheba, and had her husband, Uriah the Hittite killed. At a time when Kings go to war, He should have been at the frontlines of the battle where he had sent all Israel out to war. In 2 Samuel 11:1, it records that at the time when the Kings go to war, David stayed home and left his men to fight the battle without him. When King David did not go where he was supposed to go, he ended up going where he should not have gone, and seeing what he should not have seen, and doing what he should not have done. David repented, and God responded saying that he was not going to die because of his sin, but the child who was conceived in sin would perish.
Psalm 61 records David’s heartrending plea to God in the middle of his greatest tragedy; but by the time David ends this Psalm, his tearful prayer has become a thankful praise.
1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is
Overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the cover of your
wings. Selah.
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows: you have given me the heritage of
those that fear your name.
6 You will prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which
may preserve him.
8 So will I sing praise unto your name for ever, that I may daily perform my
vows.
What did King David do that took him from the ends of the earth to the shelter of God’s wings – from crying out in desperation – to praising the Lord in triumphant victory? The answer – and the keys to help you overcome when you’re overwhelmed by the cares of life can be found in 2 Samuel 12:15-24.
Eight Decisions of An Overcomer
I.
Rise from the Earth (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. The question is not “Have you messed up – but will you get up?
B. Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
C. When David realized his child was dead, he had a decision to
make (free will)
1. Sit there depressed, distraught, discouraged or
2. Decide to overcome though he’s overwhelmed
D. Laying on the earth the proper posture for repentance
1.
Never allow your con-dition determine po-sition
2.
Your Righteousness Comes from God
3.
Rise Above Flesh and Condemnation
II. Wash Yourself (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Only the Word of God can separate you from your mess.
1. John 17:17 “Sanctify them in truth, your Word is truth.”
2. We are sanctified and cleansed by the washing of the water
of the Word (Eph. 5:26).
III. Anoint Yourself (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Receive “The Oil of Joy” in place of mourning
1. The Result:
a) “Shining of Cheerful Anticipation”
b) Atmosphere of Expectancy
IV. Change Your Apparel (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Put on “The Garments of Praise” instead of heaviness
(Isaiah 61:1-4)
B.
Exchange – do not just put the Garments of Praise over the spirit
of heaviness; an exchange must take place. Take off the
heaviness and put on Praise.
C.
Get Over It
1.
To overcome being overwhelmed we must get over it.
2.
We must offer the sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15)
V. Come to – Not Run from – The House of the Lord (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. What’s in the House of the Lord?
1. Safety
2. Healing
3. Restoration
4. Freedom
5. Mercy
6. Grace
7. Hope
8. Forgiveness
VI. Begin to Worship (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Different than Praise (what God has done) – Anyone can praise
B. Worship (for who God is) – has to do with intimacy and humility
C. It is the place where He knows you and you know you.
VII. Refuse to Rehearse the Past (2 Samuel 12: 21)
A. “Rehearsals” are used to perfect a repeat performance
B. Remember: Whatever you rehearse you repeat and perfect
C. God wants to change your future – not just prolong your present.
VIII. Great Wisdom Can Come from Your Greatest Mistake
(2 Samuel 12: 24)
A. The Process
1. Worship produces Intimacy – Intimacy results in
reproduction.
2. David comforted Bathsheba and she bore Solomon, the
wisest man who ever lived.
B. When the promise in front of you gets bigger than the pain behind
you, you are ready to give birth again.
C. Psalm 61:2: When you are overwhelmed there is a rock higher
than you, and you can overcome being overwhelmed!
You have more to reach out for than hold onto
Background:
David had sinned with Bathsheba, and had her husband, Uriah the Hittite killed. At a time when Kings go to war, He should have been at the frontlines of the battle where he had sent all Israel out to war. In 2 Samuel 11:1, it records that at the time when the Kings go to war, David stayed home and left his men to fight the battle without him. When King David did not go where he was supposed to go, he ended up going where he should not have gone, and seeing what he should not have seen, and doing what he should not have done. David repented, and God responded saying that he was not going to die because of his sin, but the child who was conceived in sin would perish.
Psalm 61 records David’s heartrending plea to God in the middle of his greatest tragedy; but by the time David ends this Psalm, his tearful prayer has become a thankful praise.
1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is
Overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the cover of your
wings. Selah.
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows: you have given me the heritage of
those that fear your name.
6 You will prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which
may preserve him.
8 So will I sing praise unto your name for ever, that I may daily perform my
vows.
What did King David do that took him from the ends of the earth to the shelter of God’s wings – from crying out in desperation – to praising the Lord in triumphant victory? The answer – and the keys to help you overcome when you’re overwhelmed by the cares of life can be found in 2 Samuel 12:15-24.
Eight Decisions of An Overcomer
I.
Rise from the Earth (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. The question is not “Have you messed up – but will you get up?
B. Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God
C. When David realized his child was dead, he had a decision to
make (free will)
1. Sit there depressed, distraught, discouraged or
2. Decide to overcome though he’s overwhelmed
D. Laying on the earth the proper posture for repentance
1.
Never allow your con-dition determine po-sition
2.
Your Righteousness Comes from God
3.
Rise Above Flesh and Condemnation
II. Wash Yourself (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Only the Word of God can separate you from your mess.
1. John 17:17 “Sanctify them in truth, your Word is truth.”
2. We are sanctified and cleansed by the washing of the water
of the Word (Eph. 5:26).
III. Anoint Yourself (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Receive “The Oil of Joy” in place of mourning
1. The Result:
a) “Shining of Cheerful Anticipation”
b) Atmosphere of Expectancy
IV. Change Your Apparel (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Put on “The Garments of Praise” instead of heaviness
(Isaiah 61:1-4)
B.
Exchange – do not just put the Garments of Praise over the spirit
of heaviness; an exchange must take place. Take off the
heaviness and put on Praise.
C.
Get Over It
1.
To overcome being overwhelmed we must get over it.
2.
We must offer the sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15)
V. Come to – Not Run from – The House of the Lord (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. What’s in the House of the Lord?
1. Safety
2. Healing
3. Restoration
4. Freedom
5. Mercy
6. Grace
7. Hope
8. Forgiveness
VI. Begin to Worship (2 Samuel 12: 20)
A. Different than Praise (what God has done) – Anyone can praise
B. Worship (for who God is) – has to do with intimacy and humility
C. It is the place where He knows you and you know you.
VII. Refuse to Rehearse the Past (2 Samuel 12: 21)
A. “Rehearsals” are used to perfect a repeat performance
B. Remember: Whatever you rehearse you repeat and perfect
C. God wants to change your future – not just prolong your present.
VIII. Great Wisdom Can Come from Your Greatest Mistake
(2 Samuel 12: 24)
A. The Process
1. Worship produces Intimacy – Intimacy results in
reproduction.
2. David comforted Bathsheba and she bore Solomon, the
wisest man who ever lived.
B. When the promise in front of you gets bigger than the pain behind
you, you are ready to give birth again.
C. Psalm 61:2: When you are overwhelmed there is a rock higher
than you, and you can overcome being overwhelmed!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
What Is Biblical Theology for the Church Member?
To practice biblical theology is to know God himself. I'm using the term "biblical theology" with two things in mind. First, we must keep in mind that the Bible is the self-revelation of God; it is the source material for developing great thoughts about God. The Christian who is interested in knowing his God is the Christian who wants to know what God says about himself in the Bible. Such a Christian will not begin sentences with "I like to think of God as. . ." They have learned not to blend together a little New Age or a little Hinduism with a little Christianity in order to yield a custom-fitted deity for their self. No, the Christian church member who is serious about knowing God is the member who is committed to what the Bible says about God, because the Bible is where God tells us about himself.
To practice biblical theology is to know God's macro story of redemption. Second, the biblical theologian is a person committed to understanding the history of revelation, the grand themes and doctrines of the Bible, and how they fit together. In other words, healthy church members give themselves to understanding the unity and progression of the Bible as whole — not just isolated or favorite passages. They approach the Bible knowing that they are reading one awesome story of God redeeming for himself a people for his own glory. And in that story, they see that God is a creating God, a holy God, a faithful God, a loving God, and a sovereign God as he makes and keeps his promises to his people, beginning with Adam and Eve and progressing to the final consummation of all things.
To practice biblical theology is to know God's macro story of redemption. Second, the biblical theologian is a person committed to understanding the history of revelation, the grand themes and doctrines of the Bible, and how they fit together. In other words, healthy church members give themselves to understanding the unity and progression of the Bible as whole — not just isolated or favorite passages. They approach the Bible knowing that they are reading one awesome story of God redeeming for himself a people for his own glory. And in that story, they see that God is a creating God, a holy God, a faithful God, a loving God, and a sovereign God as he makes and keeps his promises to his people, beginning with Adam and Eve and progressing to the final consummation of all things.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
A Healthy Church Member is a Biblical Theologian
A Healthy Church Member is a Biblical Theologian
"Ignorance of God—ignorance both of His ways and of the practice of communion with Him—lies at the root of the church's weakness today." That's how J. I. Packer began the 1973 preface to his classic volume Knowing God. Packer reasoned that one trend producing such ignorance of God and weakness in the church was "that Christian minds have been conformed to the modern spirit: the spirit, that is, that spawns great thoughts of man and leaves room for only small thoughts of God."
Sadly, Packer's observation rings true more than three decades later. Ignorance of the ways of God and of communion with him is rampant in too many instances. Members of Christian churches continue to think small thoughts of God and great thoughts of man. This state of affairs reveals that too many Christians have neglected their first great calling: to know their God. Every Christian is meant to be a theologian in the best and most intimate sense of the word. If churches are to prosper in health, church members must be committed to being biblical theologians in whatever capacity they can. This is the second mark of a healthy church member.
"Ignorance of God—ignorance both of His ways and of the practice of communion with Him—lies at the root of the church's weakness today." That's how J. I. Packer began the 1973 preface to his classic volume Knowing God. Packer reasoned that one trend producing such ignorance of God and weakness in the church was "that Christian minds have been conformed to the modern spirit: the spirit, that is, that spawns great thoughts of man and leaves room for only small thoughts of God."
Sadly, Packer's observation rings true more than three decades later. Ignorance of the ways of God and of communion with him is rampant in too many instances. Members of Christian churches continue to think small thoughts of God and great thoughts of man. This state of affairs reveals that too many Christians have neglected their first great calling: to know their God. Every Christian is meant to be a theologian in the best and most intimate sense of the word. If churches are to prosper in health, church members must be committed to being biblical theologians in whatever capacity they can. This is the second mark of a healthy church member.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Answers for Unanswered Prayer
Exodus 2:22-23
Chaplain Max Helton prayed beside the car of Dale Earnhardt prior to the start of the 2001 Daytona 500. Earnhardt told Helton, "Just pray that I'll be wise in putting the car at the right place at the right time . . . and be able to drive with wisdom." Holding hands, they prayed for wisdom and safety. In that very race, Earnhardt lost his life in a final lap crash.
We have all had the experience of unanswered prayer. We pray for God's healing for a loved one. We pray for God to bring revival and renewal to our churches. We pray for the suicide bombings to end and for our troops to come home. Why does nothing seem to change when God has promised us, "Ask and you will receive"? Is Jesus being totally truthful when he tells us, "If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it"?
We will never have all the answers to unanswered prayer, but the story of the exodus in the Old Testament provides us with some important perspectives when we are struggling with the silence of heaven. In Exodus 2:23, Israel cries out for God to deliver them from their bondage in Egypt. The people waited for twelve long chapters, a wait that must have seemed like forever, before God completely answered their prayers. What we learn from their waiting will help us the next time we are struggling with unanswered prayer or God's answer is not what we have asked for or expected.
I. We need to remember that God is answering our prayers even before we pray them.
Before the people ever pray for deliverance, God has already begun the process of providing a deliverer. A baby at the beginning of chapter two is the unknown answer to the prayer at the end of chapter two. Even when Moses goes from being a prince in Egypt to a fugitive in Midian, there is a reminder that God has a special purpose for Moses's life. In Midian, Moses drives away a bunch of bullies who are harassing the daughters of Jethro and he waters their sheep. It foreshadows precisely what Moses is going to do for Israel — he's going to confront the biggest bully of all and then spend 40 years of his life taking care of God's sheep.
When you're waiting for an answer to prayer it helps to remember that God already has the answer worked out before we are even aware enough to know our need or articulate the words of our prayers. God knows the beginning, middle, and end of every circumstance and situation. Jesus reminds us that "your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Israel needed a deliverer and the Lord knew about it before Israel even asked.
II. We need to remember God's care and concern even when our prayers are not being answered.
God's complete answer to Israel's prayer in 2:23 doesn't come for twelve long chapters, but notice what follows immediately in verse 24 — a reminder of God's concern for his people. As soon as Israel "groans" and "cries," God "hears." God is immediately touched by the cry of his people.
The name of "Yahweh" is prominent in the book of Exodus. When Moses asks for God's name at the burning bush, God answers that his name is "I AM" (the first-person form of Yahweh) (3:14). What does that name mean? Why does the disclosure of the personal name of the God of the universe sound like the old Abbott and Costello routine "Who's on first?" This name "I am" could mean self-existence; it could mean eternality, but those ideas are really too abstract for what is conveyed in this story. Yahweh is God's covenant name, and it means that He is the ever-present helper who is there for his people. It means that God hears the cry of His people as soon as the cry goes up.
You don't have to use a magic formula to get God's attention. You don't have to build up enough faith to earn his answer. You don't have to weary God into giving in. God is concerned at the very moment we come to him with our needs and requests because we belong to him.
III. We need to remember that when we pray, things may get worse before they ever get better.
In the story of the exodus, the children of Israel prayed and things got a lot worse before they ever started to get better.1 In Exodus 5, Moses tells the Pharaoh, "Let my people go!" The Pharaoh's response was not to say, "Thank you, Moses, for bringing this gross injustice to my attention. I'll start the paperwork to expedite their release right away." His response was to take away the straw that the Hebrews had used to make bricks. Moses's career as a labor union negotiator did not get off to a brilliant start. The Pharaoh became more hard-hearted and oppressive than ever. Right before the ultimate deliverance at the Red Sea, Israel was between a rock and a hard place — the Red Sea in front of them and the Egyptian army behind them. God chose not to answer fully and finally until things were as bad as they could possibly be. God has the freedom to answer our prayers in ways that we don't anticipate or understand. Jerry Sitser reminds us that prayer does not normally "send an arrow straight to the target" but rather more often than not "shoots an arrow that curves and ricochets and even appears to fall short."2 Because of a recent move, our family has been praying for the home that we own in Ohio to sell for more than a year. Then, we finally received an offer, had a contract, and our prayers were answered. While waiting for the deal to be finalized, a rain storm flooded the lower level of our house and now our house is back on the market.
We can pray for our children to come back to the Lord and they become more determined than ever to go the other way. We can pray for God to deliver a friend from an addiction and observe the addiction grip them more tightly. We can pray for God to meet our needs and watch our bank account get smaller.
We become frustrated or resentful (or perhaps even stop praying) in these situations because we believe that God's promise to answer prayer is our guarantee of a smooth and easy life with no bumps in the road. We trust God and he fills the orders. The reality is that God sometimes responds to prayer by bringing more difficulty into our lives. That adversity deepens character, develops faith, and drives us to more desperately seek God. The difficulty may even become the means by which God answers our prayers, just like it was for the Hebrew slaves down in Egypt.
IV. We need to remember that unanswered prayer is not an indication of God's lack of power.
The delay in Israel's answer to prayer had nothing to do with God experiencing a power outage. God's power is all over the book of Exodus. I like to envision the exodus story as a real-life "smackdown" between God and Pharaoh, not like those of the fake variety that you see watching wrestling on television.
In this contest, there is first of all a battle of dueling words. In Exodus 5:1, Moses goes to Pharaoh and announces, "This is what the Lord says — 'Let my people go.'" Then in 5:10, the slave drivers announce, "This is what the Pharaoh says — "No more straw to make bricks for these lazy Hebrews.'" There's a challenge here — whose word is going to stand?
The next thing we see is a battle of dueling snakes in Exodus 7. Aaron's rod becomes a snake in front of the Pharaoh, but the Pharaoh isn't all that impressed because his magicians perform the same trick. But then, . . . Aaron's snake eats up the Egyptian snakes. What's the point? The cobra was the symbol of the Pharaoh's power, and the Egyptians worshipped cobra-deities that were supposed to protect them. The Pharaoh isn't ready to admit defeat, but Aaron's snake had the first "power lunch" in history.
Then, there is a battle of dueling deities in the story of the plagues in Exodus 7-13. The plagues are not just neat special effects that spice up the story; they are carefully designed polemics to stress the greatness of the Lord over the gods of Egypt. The Egyptians believed that Hapi protected the Nile, and so God turned the Nile into blood. They believed that Re was the god of the sun, and so God turned out the lights. They believed that the Pharaoh was a god incarnate, and so God took the life of his firstborn son.
Finally, at the Red Sea in Exodus 14, there is a battle of dueling warriors, when God the Divine Warrior bares his right arm and destroys the Egyptian army. The most powerful army on earth in that day was no match for the Lord. It was said of the Pharaoh of the exodus, "He will make a ruler of the land whom no one can attack."3 The Pharaoh found out the hard way who had real power.
Unanswered prayer doesn't void the omnipotence of God. There is nothing we can ask God that is beyond his ability to accomplish, but the greatest demonstrations of God's power are often found in his answers to our unanswered prayers. Bob Mitchell prayed for the safety of five young missionaries who went to the jungles of South America in order to share the gospel with the Auca Indians, but Jim Elliott and his four companions were brutally murdered. Years later, Mitchell attended a conference in Europe and met an evangelist who was one of the Auca Indians that had murdered Elliott and the other missionaries.4 Only God could orchestrate that kind of answer to an unanswered prayer.
We see in the exodus that the power of God is not something placed at Israel's disposal with the flip of a switch or the pull of a lever. The how and when of God's answer to prayer is determined by what brings him the greatest amount of glory. When God answered, it was done in a way so that even Pharaoh himself could not deny that Yahweh was God over all. Some of the greatest demonstrations of God's power we will ever experience come in God's answers to our unanswered prayers.
We pray to the same God as these Hebrew slaves. Whether God's answer to our prayers is "Yes," "No," or "Wait," his answers are always the perfect expression of his love and power in our lives.
By Gary E. Yates
Chaplain Max Helton prayed beside the car of Dale Earnhardt prior to the start of the 2001 Daytona 500. Earnhardt told Helton, "Just pray that I'll be wise in putting the car at the right place at the right time . . . and be able to drive with wisdom." Holding hands, they prayed for wisdom and safety. In that very race, Earnhardt lost his life in a final lap crash.
We have all had the experience of unanswered prayer. We pray for God's healing for a loved one. We pray for God to bring revival and renewal to our churches. We pray for the suicide bombings to end and for our troops to come home. Why does nothing seem to change when God has promised us, "Ask and you will receive"? Is Jesus being totally truthful when he tells us, "If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it"?
We will never have all the answers to unanswered prayer, but the story of the exodus in the Old Testament provides us with some important perspectives when we are struggling with the silence of heaven. In Exodus 2:23, Israel cries out for God to deliver them from their bondage in Egypt. The people waited for twelve long chapters, a wait that must have seemed like forever, before God completely answered their prayers. What we learn from their waiting will help us the next time we are struggling with unanswered prayer or God's answer is not what we have asked for or expected.
I. We need to remember that God is answering our prayers even before we pray them.
Before the people ever pray for deliverance, God has already begun the process of providing a deliverer. A baby at the beginning of chapter two is the unknown answer to the prayer at the end of chapter two. Even when Moses goes from being a prince in Egypt to a fugitive in Midian, there is a reminder that God has a special purpose for Moses's life. In Midian, Moses drives away a bunch of bullies who are harassing the daughters of Jethro and he waters their sheep. It foreshadows precisely what Moses is going to do for Israel — he's going to confront the biggest bully of all and then spend 40 years of his life taking care of God's sheep.
When you're waiting for an answer to prayer it helps to remember that God already has the answer worked out before we are even aware enough to know our need or articulate the words of our prayers. God knows the beginning, middle, and end of every circumstance and situation. Jesus reminds us that "your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Israel needed a deliverer and the Lord knew about it before Israel even asked.
II. We need to remember God's care and concern even when our prayers are not being answered.
God's complete answer to Israel's prayer in 2:23 doesn't come for twelve long chapters, but notice what follows immediately in verse 24 — a reminder of God's concern for his people. As soon as Israel "groans" and "cries," God "hears." God is immediately touched by the cry of his people.
The name of "Yahweh" is prominent in the book of Exodus. When Moses asks for God's name at the burning bush, God answers that his name is "I AM" (the first-person form of Yahweh) (3:14). What does that name mean? Why does the disclosure of the personal name of the God of the universe sound like the old Abbott and Costello routine "Who's on first?" This name "I am" could mean self-existence; it could mean eternality, but those ideas are really too abstract for what is conveyed in this story. Yahweh is God's covenant name, and it means that He is the ever-present helper who is there for his people. It means that God hears the cry of His people as soon as the cry goes up.
You don't have to use a magic formula to get God's attention. You don't have to build up enough faith to earn his answer. You don't have to weary God into giving in. God is concerned at the very moment we come to him with our needs and requests because we belong to him.
III. We need to remember that when we pray, things may get worse before they ever get better.
In the story of the exodus, the children of Israel prayed and things got a lot worse before they ever started to get better.1 In Exodus 5, Moses tells the Pharaoh, "Let my people go!" The Pharaoh's response was not to say, "Thank you, Moses, for bringing this gross injustice to my attention. I'll start the paperwork to expedite their release right away." His response was to take away the straw that the Hebrews had used to make bricks. Moses's career as a labor union negotiator did not get off to a brilliant start. The Pharaoh became more hard-hearted and oppressive than ever. Right before the ultimate deliverance at the Red Sea, Israel was between a rock and a hard place — the Red Sea in front of them and the Egyptian army behind them. God chose not to answer fully and finally until things were as bad as they could possibly be. God has the freedom to answer our prayers in ways that we don't anticipate or understand. Jerry Sitser reminds us that prayer does not normally "send an arrow straight to the target" but rather more often than not "shoots an arrow that curves and ricochets and even appears to fall short."2 Because of a recent move, our family has been praying for the home that we own in Ohio to sell for more than a year. Then, we finally received an offer, had a contract, and our prayers were answered. While waiting for the deal to be finalized, a rain storm flooded the lower level of our house and now our house is back on the market.
We can pray for our children to come back to the Lord and they become more determined than ever to go the other way. We can pray for God to deliver a friend from an addiction and observe the addiction grip them more tightly. We can pray for God to meet our needs and watch our bank account get smaller.
We become frustrated or resentful (or perhaps even stop praying) in these situations because we believe that God's promise to answer prayer is our guarantee of a smooth and easy life with no bumps in the road. We trust God and he fills the orders. The reality is that God sometimes responds to prayer by bringing more difficulty into our lives. That adversity deepens character, develops faith, and drives us to more desperately seek God. The difficulty may even become the means by which God answers our prayers, just like it was for the Hebrew slaves down in Egypt.
IV. We need to remember that unanswered prayer is not an indication of God's lack of power.
The delay in Israel's answer to prayer had nothing to do with God experiencing a power outage. God's power is all over the book of Exodus. I like to envision the exodus story as a real-life "smackdown" between God and Pharaoh, not like those of the fake variety that you see watching wrestling on television.
In this contest, there is first of all a battle of dueling words. In Exodus 5:1, Moses goes to Pharaoh and announces, "This is what the Lord says — 'Let my people go.'" Then in 5:10, the slave drivers announce, "This is what the Pharaoh says — "No more straw to make bricks for these lazy Hebrews.'" There's a challenge here — whose word is going to stand?
The next thing we see is a battle of dueling snakes in Exodus 7. Aaron's rod becomes a snake in front of the Pharaoh, but the Pharaoh isn't all that impressed because his magicians perform the same trick. But then, . . . Aaron's snake eats up the Egyptian snakes. What's the point? The cobra was the symbol of the Pharaoh's power, and the Egyptians worshipped cobra-deities that were supposed to protect them. The Pharaoh isn't ready to admit defeat, but Aaron's snake had the first "power lunch" in history.
Then, there is a battle of dueling deities in the story of the plagues in Exodus 7-13. The plagues are not just neat special effects that spice up the story; they are carefully designed polemics to stress the greatness of the Lord over the gods of Egypt. The Egyptians believed that Hapi protected the Nile, and so God turned the Nile into blood. They believed that Re was the god of the sun, and so God turned out the lights. They believed that the Pharaoh was a god incarnate, and so God took the life of his firstborn son.
Finally, at the Red Sea in Exodus 14, there is a battle of dueling warriors, when God the Divine Warrior bares his right arm and destroys the Egyptian army. The most powerful army on earth in that day was no match for the Lord. It was said of the Pharaoh of the exodus, "He will make a ruler of the land whom no one can attack."3 The Pharaoh found out the hard way who had real power.
Unanswered prayer doesn't void the omnipotence of God. There is nothing we can ask God that is beyond his ability to accomplish, but the greatest demonstrations of God's power are often found in his answers to our unanswered prayers. Bob Mitchell prayed for the safety of five young missionaries who went to the jungles of South America in order to share the gospel with the Auca Indians, but Jim Elliott and his four companions were brutally murdered. Years later, Mitchell attended a conference in Europe and met an evangelist who was one of the Auca Indians that had murdered Elliott and the other missionaries.4 Only God could orchestrate that kind of answer to an unanswered prayer.
We see in the exodus that the power of God is not something placed at Israel's disposal with the flip of a switch or the pull of a lever. The how and when of God's answer to prayer is determined by what brings him the greatest amount of glory. When God answered, it was done in a way so that even Pharaoh himself could not deny that Yahweh was God over all. Some of the greatest demonstrations of God's power we will ever experience come in God's answers to our unanswered prayers.
We pray to the same God as these Hebrew slaves. Whether God's answer to our prayers is "Yes," "No," or "Wait," his answers are always the perfect expression of his love and power in our lives.
By Gary E. Yates
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