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We Are Not Put To Shame For His Sake
There have been times when I have been doing something I know God has called me to do, and things have gone from bad to worse. Sometimes, I’ve done the right thing and persisted in faith and prayer. Other times, I’ve made the mistake of being mad at God, angry that He called me to do something, and then seemingly let me fall on my face. I rage at Him, demanding "Why did I have to look foolish? Why did you call me to do this thing if you weren’t going to back me up?" Why do I respond this way? I think it all boils down to fear. Fear of looking foolish. Fear of being laughed at and talked about. Fear of looking imperfect.
It is at these times when I respond to adversity incorrectly that God has to remind me that the situation is not over until He says it’s over. God calls us to be in difficult situations not to torture us, but so that we can learn truths, so that our faith will grow, so He can be glorified, and to demonstrate His power and authority.
On Mount Carmel, Elijah asked the people of Israel to choose between God and Baal. He then had two bulls brought before the Israelites and declared that one bull would represent a sacrifice to Baal and the other bull would represent a sacrifice to God. Elijah said that the God who answered prayer with fire would be the true God. You can guess what happened. The prophets of Baal prayed and nothing happened. Elijah prayed to God and God answered in power. Elijah prayed that God would be known. But Elijah also prayed that God would "…let it be known today…that I am your servant and have done these things at your command. "
If we prayed so boldly, God might not set anything on fire, but we would see that somehow, someway, He would show up because we are doing what He asked us to do, and because of that, He’s not going to abandon or desert us.
Ironically, right after this happens, Elijah runs in fear from Jezebel and ask God to take his life. He had just called down fire from heaven, and in no time at all, another human being had him afraid. So very human. So very much like me.
Yes praying boldly is what I desire. Here’s the problem that holds me back what if I pray and nothing happens? It takes courage to pray boldly and a deep understanding that we aren’t asking for our will but God’s will to be done. Lord give me courage to pray “Your will be done”
I love what you had to share with us Terence and Penny. God can move mountains if we boldly pray His will. The other thing I noticed about this story about Elijah was his obedience. He had to challenge the prophets of baal, have the alters built, and get the 2 bulls. It reminds me of another story where God moved a huge mountain. The one between Him and mankind. Jesus boldly prayed to God all the time and He was obedient to what God had Him do even to death on a cross. Recently I have been studying the book of John in the Bible with BSF. If you want to see a bold prayer to God look at chapter 17 where Jesus prays to God. I think Jesus prayed this prayer in front of the disciples and put it in the book of John so that we could see how we should pray. Also notice Jesus obedience. He risked everything to do God’s will. I so many times let God down because of my lack of obedience. However I am still a work in progress. I have seen God move mountains and I look forward to seeing Him move more.
Thanks Terence but I have never seen you as a shrinking violet in prayer. You have been a great example to me in regard to prayer. Thanks for mentoring me in faith and boldness.