October 23, 2005
GOD ANSWERS OUR prayers. We are encouraged to pray until he does. In relation to Jerusalem and its destiny God says through the prophet: “I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” (Isaiah 62:6-7) This is a pattern for persevering prayer. God has given us “very great and precious promises” but he also wants us to contend for them and pursue them. I believe this relates to both our individual and corporate destinies. By the way, these promises are not just for our benefit because when God blesses us we cannot help but became channels of his blessing for others. Therefore we should ask God boldly without being held back by false humility.
If you have not yet received what God has promised you, do not give up half-way. The scripture says to those who have come a long way but are tempted to give up: “Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36) Whether you are praying for the salvation of loved ones or you are seeking God for a breakthrough in your life, let me encourage you to keep persevering. Discouragement comes from the devil. “Submit [yourself] to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
You may ask, If God has promised us blessings, fruitfulness and victory why does he not just give it to us? Why does it have to be such a struggle? I believe that at least part of the answer is that somehow persevering prayer develops in us the character that makes us ready to receive the answer to our prayers. Also as we seek the Lord in the context of pursuing the fulfilment of his promises we grow in our knowledge of him and our relationship with him rises to a higher level. And because this is what he ultimately wants and what we really need, whatever effort we make in this struggle is worth it.
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Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
(Galatians 6:9)
This page was last updated on Friday, October 21, 2005