For years I have longed for God’s direction in my life and in life’s circumstances. I’ve asked Him about major and minor decisions, about jobs, churches, even purchases. Asking for parking places, extra income, healing, help for friends, you name it, I’ve prayed for it.
We have become a people who pray about many things and sometimes see the answers to those prayers. Some immediate, some delayed and some not the way we had hoped. But what is the formula to guarantee our success in prayer? Isaiah 6:1-8 In the year of King Uzziah’s death, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.” And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. Then I said ‘Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.’ Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said “behold, this has touched your lips and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying “Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am, send me.” As I read this passage yesterday, I was reminded of exactly what this whole story is about – Worship! Worship is where we truly are guaranteed the answer to our prayers, where we can have success in prayer. Here we see Isaiah in the midst of a vision of heaven. He saw the throne, the protective angels, the robe and most importantly, the Lord himself. As the heavens opened and he saw the reality of what was happening, it caused the earth to shake. Remember, in Revelation, “Holy, Holy, Holy” is being declared 24-7 and you better believe the earth shakes when the whole earth is glorifying God. At the moment you enter that kind of atmosphere, or that kind of atmosphere invades your space, your earthly needs, wants and desires cease. Illness, lack, anger, poverty, anything from the enemy must flea in His presence. All of the world is totally put into perspective here, and you can do nothing but worship. This is the kind of worship that we should all desire to be a part of. A vision of the King of Kings. This is where every need is met, every desire is fulfilled, and every want is put into its proper place. This is where healing takes place, revelation is given, restoration beings, and reconciliation is established. Truth, ultimate truth comes, wisdom is seen, lies are dispelled, understanding enters and most of all, where we recognize just who we are and know just who HE is. I’ve been in many a prayer meeting or time of worship, where it is all so surface and earthly. Focusing on us and our needs. But whenever you purpose to come before a Holy God in pure worship, then all of that just melts away and you can see what is truly important. When you see HIS glory, all of history falls into place, the understanding of your role in this earth begins to unfold in your heart and clarity for your life and circumstances opens to you. This is where ALL of your needs are met, in this place of worship. This kind of worship doesn’t come easy though. It takes purposed time with HIM, effort to get rid of all of the outside distractions and a sacrifice of self. It demands a sacrifice of time, distractions, and everything that prevents your coming to Him. Graham Cooke wrote a book called ‘Crafted Prayer.’ In his book he explains that pure worship, ministering to God, will open our hearts to hear HIS will in every circumstance. Then when we hear HIS will, we can pray to that end, knowing that prayer will be answered. There is something amazing about getting into a place of true worship though. Getting rid of every distraction, focusing on God and His mighty power and presence. Knowing that when we truly begin to try and know Him, He will open up the heavens and show us His robe and how His glory fills the temple of our hearts and lives. Whatever your needs are today, purpose worship and see what God will do. Only then can you truly have success in prayer!
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My husband and I are huge fans of an older tv show from earlier this century called 'Boston Legal.'
One evening recently, while watching reruns of this show, the characters Denny Crane, played by William Shatner and Allen Shore, played by James Spader, were sitting on the balcony in the late hours of the evening sipping drinks and smoking cigars. While they were discussing hope, Denny Crane casually remarked 'Hope springs a kernel.' Shore looked at Crane like he had lost his mind and after a long silence asked 'What?' Shatner, portraying a man with 'Mad Cow', looks over and says casually "It's an older farmer saying - Hope springs a kernel." In only the way James Spader can, he again is staring in disbelief at his dear friend and chuckles back with 'I don't think so.' Crane lovingly says "Oh sure, hope springs a kernel." Again Shore balks and shakes his head, looking away. Then relents to his friends statement, rather than trying to convince otherwise. It was then I knew that our new forever home would be called 'Hope Springs.' Crazy I know, but you see the pond in the dead grass? That pond is at the back of our property and we have been told is fed by a spring and will never dry up. A testament to that fact is that obvious you pull the satellite image up. There is water in that pond, during the midst of one of the worst droughts in history. The actual saying is 'Hope Springs Eternal' and that is what our new home is all about. Hope of a new future with eternal supply. The reason I love Denny Crane's quote is that even the smallest of kernels has endless possibilities. One kernel of corn, when planted can produce hundreds, as can any kernel when handled properly. There is hope of a future in every kernel. So whether it is eternal hope or eternal supply, Earl and I are claiming it for our future. And we will never forget 'Hope springs a kernel.' |
AuthorI'm a wife, Mom, grandma, teacher, friend... Lived a while and still have some living to do. Archives
October 2021
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