God does not need to be reminded of His promises. He made promises and bound Himself to us in a blood-sealed covenant so that we would know exactly what we could expect from Him. The purpose of His promises is to give us confidence and peace. Instead, sometimes we pray as if we are responsible for finding the scriptural promise that can be construed as guaranteeing the outcome we have prescribed, then taking that promise to God to hold Him to His Word.
This kind of pray-er treats God's Word as if it is a catalog. He decides what God should do, looks through the Bible to find a verse that will match his plan, and orders it. In doing so, as in catalog shopping, the pray-er skims over everything that holds no appeal. He picks and chooses.
Remember,
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What a burden it is for me to search the scripture and find exactly the right verse to bring to God's attention. Instead, as I turn my heart and my mind toward Him, He reminds me of His promises. He reminds me of what I can count on. The promises are not for me to use in getting my way with God, but they are for God to use to inspire faith and confidence within …show more content…
Right now, read 2 Chronicles 20:1-29 and take note of Jehoshophat's prayer. Notice that it sounds as if he is reminding God.
Let's dissect that some. Jehoshaphat came before the Lord to inquire of Him and to seek help from Him. The promises of God and the past faithfulness of the Lord began to fill Jehoshaphat's mind. What sounded like the petitioner reminding God, was really God reminding the petitioner. Notice who Jehoshaphat's faith and boldness grew with each declaration of God's promises. God was building a foothold for his faith.
God is watching over His word to see that it is carried out, according to Jeremiah 1:12. Every word He has spoken and every promise He has made live forever and are settled in the heavens. Rather than working to find a promise of which you can "remind" God, instead be still and let God remind you.
(Adapted from Live a Praying Life by Jennifer Kennedy Dean. Used by
“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose”
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
The Bible shows God constantly pursuing His people and man rejecting him over and over again. This passage displays this ongoing struggle by showing all Jesus did for us and how the people still shunned and rejected him. However, this passage also gives reassurance that it is never too late to repent and accept the Lord. This passage displays some important themes of the Bible: man’s redemption, God’s forgiveness and grace, and the blessing of a relationship with God. This passage is essentially the message of the Bible in one small
God’s provision and guidance will lead Israel home (vv.1-3, 7-11), and the first future has been announced. After the safe return, Israel will receive a joyful and peaceful future (vv. 4-6, 12-14) or the second future. I call these two stages of future the double hope. The prophet tended to convince Israel and Judah of the constant hesed of YHWH, the God of the past, presence, and future. To be restored, Israel needs to have strong hope or the double hope. The list of God’s “I will” emphasizes the divine message of hope in the book of Consolation: “I will restore... I will bring them back... I will break the yolk... I will save... I will gather... I will lead... I will turn mourning into joy... I will make a new covenant... I will be their God.” In Jeremiah’s visions, the divine hesed will guarantee the first future, and the same hesed will also ensure a second future, a truly eschatological hope for Israel and Judah.
He remains this way to serve as a check for each god's involvement in the
8You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. 10As an example,
When Moses turns to God's promises, he is in essence saying, “God we are not worthy of your blessings, we are here because of you, and we depend on you.” God acted as a parent towards a child. He wanted the best for his children. He, out of love for his children, responded to them in different ways. At times he was tough, at other times gentle.
(Friedman, 2003)” In these passages, Yahweh is the name referring to the lord. Yahweh referred back to the promise of land and descendants, two of the three promises. The land is as far as you can see and multiplies of descendants. Characteristics of the J source are given, as such the name of Yahweh, a personal visit of Yahweh, the study of history, and the threefold promise.
One of my favorite quotes is from Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This quote gives me hope and the faith I need to continue to strive for greatness.
The messages that stand out to me the most throughout these readings is that God fulfills his promises and how God can work through us to serve a greater purpose. There seems to be a pattern of God making promises and covenants and then him following through with each of them. Each of these promises has a purpose. The fact that the author repeatedly spoke of these promises and dreams, gives me great comfort.
As we search the word of God with passion and earnestly, the Holy Spirit will illuminate us, so we can grasp his will in our life “until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” (Eph. 4:13).
, and what does God command us to pray for? What we should be asking ourselves before we come to God in prayer. Prayer is a very important action for all of us as Christians. We should know why we pray and why it is important. We should also know that prayer cant just come from our mouths, but from our hearts as well.
takes His own precious time in answering prayers. The answer will be “no” if it
Every prayer that every person has ever made has been heard by God. He hears everything and He sees everything. If our prayer, or prayers, has not been yet answered, it is important that we do not lose faith or stop believing that He will help and answer our prayers because He will. God has special timing for everything and when the timing is right, your prayer or prayers will be answered. Like they say, “God works in mysterious ways.” Trusting in Him and believing in Him is pivotal.