“For through him we both have access to the Father by one spirit” – (Ephesians 2:18).
Usually when a child in a family has been promised something and happens not to receive it two things can happen, depending on what type of family. If a child has a poor relationship with his father built on fear he might just shrug, bottle all in, and move on. He fears if he speaks up things might get even worse.
But in another family where a child has had a good relationship with his father he would be free to wonder aloud in his presence and plead his case. The father would patiently listen, possibly explain and might even change his mind. This is because the two have a personal relationship built on trust.
Likewise our relationship with God is not built on fear but trust. For example, on many occasions when Moses was faced with a situation contrary to his expectations he would go to God directly and plead his case. There was a moment when God was angry with the Israelites and wanted to destroy them all for doubting his power. Moses pleaded with God against this course of action. “If you put all these people to death leaving none alive, the nations who have heard all about this report would say, “The Lord was not able to bring these people into the land he promised them on oath, so he slaughtered them in the wilderness” (Numbers 14:15-16).
God listened to Moses’ cry and changed His mind. The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them as you have asked..” (vv 20). Here we see that Moses had the confidence to go to God and plead his case. We also note that God heard him and did not destroy all the Israelites as he had earlier said.
As believers we have a relationship built on trust and not fear with our God. If in the course of our lives something goes contrary to our expectations we too just like Moses can access Him through Christ and plead our case. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will he hears” (I John 5:14).
Today if there is a course in your life that has not gone to plan, perhaps you have a need not met; do not just walk away, with a cold shoulder. Rise up and go to God, cry out to Him and plead your case. Plead before him like King David: “But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake, out of the goodness of your love, deliver me” (Psalms 109:21). Ours is a God who through His son Jesus Christ has come down to meet each one of us at our point of need.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I come to you with full confidence in Christ Jesus, bringing to you all my needs, even that situation troubling me, that you may show your mercy and bring victory to me as your child, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
