Sickly King Hezekiah lay on his death bed. He cried out to God in prayer. God gave the king fifteen years (II Kings 20:5). Acknowledge, thank, and celebrate every victory that God sends our way.
There are many wonderful things we can learn from the Old Testament saints. Theologian Graham Scroggie put it this way: “The New is in the old contained, and the Old is in the New explained!” Elijah, is commended for the way he prayed (James 5:17-18). We all want to pursue God with the passion of David, a man after God’s heart, and with faith like Abraham.
God interrupted Moses and the children of Israel at the Red Sea, where they were trapped by Pharaoh and the world’s greatest army. They cried out to God about their circumstances. What was God’s response? He essentially said, “Folks, this is no time to pray. Moses, raise the rod and split the sea.” And Moses did! (Exodus 14:15-16).
When Jesus arrived, HE did things on the Sabbath that the Pharisees couldn’t accept. Then came the day when, with HIS disciples, HE lifted the Communion cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20).
God responds to the prayers of those who love and honor HIM. We don’t throw out the Old Testament and its prayers.
We approach God’s throne of grace “with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
I Corinthians 10:13—God carefully measures our trials, and HE promises that we won’t face more than we can bear. (But we must also keep in mind that when we choose to walk in darkness, we move out from under God’s protection.)
Matthew 5:43-45—Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
Jesus was no ordinary teacher. HE was the Prince of Peace. “Mercy triumphs over judgment!” (James 2:13).
The prayers God answers are those prayed in accordance with HIS will. The Holy Spirit “searches all things even the deep things of God,” and “knows the thoughts of God.”
PREVIOUS PAGE
