King Sennacherib's Threat

Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent this word to Hezekiah:
"God's Message, the God of Israel:
Because you brought King Sennacherib of Assyria to me in prayer,
here is my answer,...
(Isaiah 37:21+)

"Here is my answer." We long to see and know God's answer. Yet, too often, I keep trying to muddle along with some major struggle in my life without explicitly turning to God with it. God had heard Sennacherib belittle the god of Israel. But, that did not motivate God's response. It was Hezekiah's prayer that led to God's intervention. It's interesting that a powerful prophet, Isaiah, was on the scene but it was not his prayers but the prayer of the leader of the nation that brought about the defeat of Sennacherib. My wife is a real prayer warrior but there are some issues over which I have responsibility that depend on my prayers.

At one time or another, I've struggled with "Sennacherib" issues such as health, feelings, temptations, relationships with children, my relationship with my wife, relationships with neighbors, fears about my job, anxiety about my wife's pregnancy, concerns for income versus expenses and so on. In many or most of these situations, I eventually got around to fervent prayer. But, I frequently struggled too long trying to find a way to solve the problem with my own pitiable resources.

I suspect that most of us have a "Sennacherib" threat hanging over our heads. Have you brought your King Sennacherib to God in fervent prayer?

No Walk -- No Wonder

The meek will he teach his way. - God

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill.--A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. - God

A man in a genuine, living relationship with Jesus where there is daily communion over God's Word will live an extraordinary life. But, the first temptation to live a zero life is to think that only natural gifts of strength, thought and wisdom are needed for today. Pride will drain the blood from life and leave an empty shell. With Jesus Words, Spirit and blessing, life not only is given meaning but life will take us unexpected and wonderful places. Enoch walked with God and, one day, walked straight into heaven. A daily walk with God will lead to an incredible life. No walk -- No wonder.

"Without me, you can do nothing." - Jesus

"Seek first the Kingdom of God and His rightousness and all these things will be added to you." - Jesus

Ps 25
Eccl 9
Prov 16
John 15
Matt 6

The Eager Bridegroom

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

Frequently, we hear of struggling marriages. News reports bring stories of marriages collapsing and other relationships being formed. Ex-spouses say that their love is gone. How does love fade away? Relationships consist of conversations. As we stop conversing in one relationship, it will fade and disappear. New relationships start with casual conversations that gradually become more personal. Relationships are defined one conversation at a time.

If we say that we have a relationship with a person but never listen to or converse with him then it is an almost non-existent relationship. In exactly the same way, the strength of one’s relationship to God grows and shrinks as we each converse and commune with Him. God will speak to us as we read and meditate on His Word and we tell Him our fears, needs and joys. We can and should have frequent conversations with the Lover of our soul.

We hear the voice of the World all around us and our natural impulse is to embrace the World’s message, goals and values. But, if we will daily give our life to God through Jesus and converse with God often then our mind and desires will begin to change. Who we listen to and talk to defines our true relationships and direction.

Would you or your wife like a relationship where you get together for sex once or twice a week and never speak to each other otherwise? Do we think that going to church once or twice a week makes a good relationship with God? Let’s don’t fool ourselves. Jesus called us to a radical and intimate relationship. The Church is His bride. Join me in repenting of a too shallow relationship with God and too much time in wrong relationships. Let’s expand our conversation with our First Love, and deepen our relationship with our Bridegroom. He is eager for us to commune with Him.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

(Matthew 4:4)
(John 15:5)
(Revelation 2:4)

Eyes -- but Blind, Ears -- but Deaf

"Continue in prayer."-Colossians 4:2

It is interesting how large a portion of Scripture is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, "Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;" and just as we are about to close the volume, the "Amen" of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob-there a Daniel who prayed three times a day-and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas.

We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in His Word, He intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If He has said much about prayer, it is because He knows we have much need of it. So deep are our needs, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Do you want nothing? Then, I fear you do not know your poverty. Have you no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord's mercy show you your misery! A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honor of a Christian. If you are a child of God, you will seek your Father's face, and live in your Father's love.

Pray that this year you may be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter more often into the banqueting-house of His love. Pray that you may be an example and a blessing to others, and that you may live more to the glory of your Master. The motto for this year must be, "Continue in prayer."

The above paragraphs from C.H. Spurgeon reminded me of the focus on prayer that occurs throughout Scripture. And, it encouraged me to personally refocus on prayer. A prayerless or prayer starved life is also powerless, sightless, deaf and dull. The more I pray and seek God, the more I find myself outside my comfort zones discovering unanticipated opportunities, adventures and blessings. Prayer enables me to see beyond myself and to begin to see and hear others. Without a heart for prayer and seeking God, we have eyes but are blind and ears but are deaf. Lord, give me sight!

Project:

• read Revelation 3:14-22
• Let’s ask to God expand our desire and focus on prayer.
• Let’s change our personal schedule to have more times of prayer and explicitly seeking God in His Word and in meditating on His Word.

Lord, give me more desire to know You and to hear Your voice whispering in my heart.


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