In a moment of frustration, desperation and despair, who do you turn to? Who comes along when you cry for help? When you find yourself in a dark place, when you are at your lowest who do you turn to? Who can you trust?
For many of us Christians, we will immediately say God or Jesus Christ. We readily quote Psalm 121, that we look up to the hills just like David said. In that chapter and throughout the book of Psalms, we see how David readily cries out to God for help, for mercy. What qualifies us to call upon God?
”For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.“ Romans 10:12-13 KJV
From the above scripture, we see that because of the redemptive blood of Jesus, even gentiles can access our Heavenly Father through prayer. The caveat is to willingly call upon the name of our God, without compulsion. It says that whosoever shall call… so you just need to call upon Him in faith.
For many “believers” however, prayer is usually our last resort when all else has failed. We will only pray when after trying plan A, plan B through to plan Z we are unsuccessful and faced with a brick wall of resistance.
Prayer for many has become very transactional, almost as if God owes us what we desire. Rather than approaching the throne room of the father with reverence and pleading that He be merciful to us, we go to Him from a place of entitlement.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe in exercising the dominion mandate and walking in our God given authority. However never forget that as a child of God, who is emulating the lifestyle that Jesus Christ exemplified while on earth, it is expedient to approach God from a place of humility.
Jesus, the son of God who wields all authority submitted to this protocol. In the heat of the moment when He went to the father in prayer before being captured and crucified, He did not decree and declare that He would not feel any pain when He offered himself as a sacrifice for sins that He didn’t even commit.
Rather, he was meek and answered every question during his trial with wisdom and humility. He acknowledged that although He is a part of the Godhead, his assignment preceded His comfort.
Remember Moses. Besides Jesus, the Christ himself, He was the epitome of meekness. God Himself testified of Him in Hebrews 11:24-27. If humility and meekness are unnecessary, jolt yourself up with reference to how one moment of behaving outside of his usually meek self cost Moses access into the promised land.
Just like Jesus, David with all his shortcomings as a king never failed to approach the throne of God with reverence. He always started off by honouring God while acknowledging his weakness and pleading for mercy.
”I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: So shall I be saved from mine enemies.“ Psalm 18:1-3 KJV
It is no secret that when we call upon our God, He is able to help us. Our God is a merciful Father and He desires that we not just call upon Him speedily, but that we also trust Him to save us and fulfill His purposes in us.
”Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.“ Jeremiah 33:3 KJV
Sometimes life may throw curveballs at us. We might find ourselves in dark seasons where nothing seems to be working. Remember however that experiences and graces can only be built by going through the tough times.
God is the master strategist. All power belongs to Him alone. Even the darkness is as light unto Him. Your strategies and plans can only achieve so much no matter how logical and well thought out they are. Isn’t it only wise to trust the God who Himself is light to guide you through the darkness?
”For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)“ 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 KJV
Be deliberate about your prayers. Cry out to God in reverence and humility so you can attract His full attention. Plead for God mercy and trust Him to answer.
”Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.“ Psalm 30:10 KJV
Never forget that humility is not timidity. May you be marvelously helped by God this day and beyond as you approach His throne room with reverence and humility.
With Love, Esinam.
Virtuous Living 