Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust His promises. When we come to Him in faith every petition enters into the heart of God. When we have asked for His Blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have received it.Then we are to go about our duties, assured that the Blessing will be realized when we need it most. When we have learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered. God will do for us“exceeding abundantly,” “according to the riches of His glory,” and “the working of His mighty power.”- Special Testimonies, January 20, 1904 par. 9
Christ Jesus (Yehushua), desires His work to go forward and thousands of souls to be won to His Kingdom. And He desires this so much more than we can imagine! But He accomplishes this mighty work through us His human representatives, allowing us to be brought into trying, and difficult places that the glory may be given to His Father’s Almighty name; and in order to humble us and bring us to our knees, seeking His power to complete that which He has begun in our lives and the ministry!
I have over the last few years found myself often wondering about the life of Jesus, while He was here upon the earth in human flesh. What was His daily Life like? Did He often face the same human needs that each of us face? Food, shelter, clothing, friendship, and a Word of encouragement; the means to complete His mission while here upon the earth?And when He asked His Father for something, did The Father do it?
Yes ! Every time !
Yes ! Every time !
Because the Son always asks to glorify His Father’s name. Read again aloud the story of our Redemption in the gospels, and listen to the Promises which Christ Jesus has given to you and I in His Word -“And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power (G1849 exousia – privilege, force, capacity, freedom, mastery, delegated influence, authority,, jurisdiction, liberty, right), against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases . . .
And commanded them saying, As ye go, preach, saying the Kingdom (Sovereign, Reign, King) of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out (evict) devils: freely ye have received, freely give in return !” Matthew 10:1-13
“And He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save (except) a staff only; no scrip (a leather pouch for food), no bread, no money in their purse: but be shod with . . . the sandals of peace . . . and not put on two coats . . . !” Mark 6:6-9, Luke 9:1-4, 10:1-11 & Ephesians 6:15
Then, just before His trial and crucifixion, listen to His Words; “And He said unto them, When I sent you without purse and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing . . . !” Luke 22:35
Note: The LORD desires us today, upon whom the ends of the world are come, to walk in that faith of our father Abraham, knowing that what He which has Promised, He will fulfil !
“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, saying, What shall ye eat, or what shall ye drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. For is not the life more than meat (food), and the body more than raiment (clothing) ?” Matthew 6:25
“For Thou gavest also Thy good Spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not Thy manna (Bread from heaven) from their mouth, and gavest them Water for their thirst . . . for the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit and they are Life ! . . . Yea, forty years didst Thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not . . . !” Nehemiah 9:20-21 & John 6:63
“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; Yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they ? And which of you by taking thought (worry, anxious) can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of these !
Wherefore, if God (Jehovah, Yehuwah) so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith ?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed ? For after all these (temporal) things do the gentiles (unbelievers) seek: for your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
But seek ye first the Kingdom (Sovereign, Reign, King) of God, and His Righteousness . . . the righteousness of faith . . . and all these things shall be added unto you !” Matthew 6:26-33
Thus saith the LORD – “Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the Peace (Shalom) of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus !
“For my God (Jehovah, Yehuwah) shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!” Philippians 4:6-7, 19“Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them. How much more are ye better than the fowls? . . . . And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit ? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why then take ye thought for the rest ?
. . . If then God so clothe the grass which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things so the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things !
But rather seek ye the Kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom ! Sell that which ye have, and give alms (compassion, mercy toward the poor); provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither doth moth corrupt. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also . . . !”Luke 12:21-34
“Ask, and it shall be given you; Seek, and ye shall find; Knock, and it shall be opened unto you ! . . . For what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him ?” Matthew 7:7-11
Note: So can we look to the Life of Jesus, for an example of this kind of living faith ?
Did He also live by the same Word which He has instructed us to believe and follow ?
“Jesus (Yehushua) saith unto her . . . Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the Glory of God ? . . . Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up His eyes . . . boldly to the throne of grace . . . and said, Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me. And I know that Thou hearest Me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they also may believe . . .”
John 11:41-42 & Hebrews 4:16
John 11:41-42 & Hebrews 4:16
“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear !” Isaiah 65:24
Note: Jesus believed this Promise from His Father, and because He believed; because He had absolute faith and assurance in His Father’s spoken Word, His Father and ours granted His request.
Quote: “Christ lived a human life that He might be man’s example in all things. He endured temptation even as every human being must endure. He believed God as we must believe ! He learned obedience even as we are required to learn obedience. And He overcame as we must overcome !” – Bible Echo, September 3, 1900
Quote: “We do not ask for enough of the good things God has Promised. If we would reach up higher and expect more, our petitions would reveal the quickening Influence that comes to every soul who asks with the full expectation of being heard and answered. . . .
The Lord is not glorified by the tame supplications which show that nothing is expected. He desires every one who believes, to approach the throne of grace with earnestness and assurance. Do we realize the magnitude of the work in which we are engaged? If we did, there would be more fervency in our prayers. Our entreaties would rise before God with convincing earnestness. We would plead for power as a hungry child pleads for bread. If we realized the greatness of the Gift, if we desired the attainment of the Blessing, our petitions would ascend with earnestness, importunity, urgency. It would be as if we were at the gate of heaven, soliciting entrance.
I do not understand the tameness in the requests offered to God. We are to urge our way into the very Presence of God, into the Holy Place of the Most High. We are to plead for that which we most need,–the Bread of Life, the leaf from the Tree of Life. As Jacob wrestled with the angel, saying, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me,” so we are to wrestle in prayer until we prevail. We are to ask with an urgency that will not be turned away, that expects God to bestow His blessings with a liberality that is an assurance to all fear.
“Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and His Maker, Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons, and concerning the work of My hands command ye Me. I have made the earth, and created man upon it. I, even My hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.” Isaiah 45:11. This is the Word of the LORD, which is Yea and Amen!
Then let your prayers be more fervent, more heavily weighted with faith and hope. Let the intensity of your desire be proportionate to the value of the object you wish to obtain.”
– Special Testimonies, August 7, 1901 par. 13
“Because I go to My Father . . . Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified (honoured) in the Son. If ye ask anything in My name, I will do it !” John 14:12-14
But is there a condition to this Promise ?
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind (spirits) and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the LORD.” James 1:5-7
“For without faith it is impossible to please Him (Jehovah, Yehuwah): for he that cometh to God must believe that He is (I AM THAT I AM), and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him !” Hebrews 11:6
“And in the morning, as they passed by, they (His disciples) saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto Him (Jesus), Master, behold, the fig tree which Thou cursedst is withered away.
And Jesus (Yehushua) answering saith unto them, Have faith in GOD !
For verily (of a Truth) I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith !
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them !”Mark 11:20-24“Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done ! And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive !” Matthew 21:21-22
Note: All these miracles which Jesus did for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come, He did not do as just random acts of power. Each and every work He did was done by Living faith; faith in His Father’s Word !
“For faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of GOD !” Romans 10:17
Search the Old Testament Scriptures and you will find that every Promise was spoken to Him. And that in Him (Christ Jesus), every Promise is both Yea, and Amen unto us His children ! ref: II Corinthians 1:20
“Believest thou not that I Am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The Words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works !” John 14:10
“And if ye abide in Me, and My Words . . . which are Spirit and Life . . . abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. For herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye be My disciples !”
John 15:7-8 & 6:63Quote: “We should be much in secret prayer. Christ is the Vine, we are the branches. And if we would grow and flourish, we must continually draw sap and nourishment from the Living Vine; for separated from the Vine, we have no strength. I asked the angel (of the LORD) why there was no more faith and power in Israel. He said: “Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press your petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The Promises are sure! Believe ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them.” I was then pointed to Elijah. He was subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly. His faith endured the trial. Seven times he prayed before the LORD, and at last the cloud was seen.
I saw that we had doubted the sure Promises, and wounded the Saviour by our lack of faith. Said the angel, “Gird the armor about thee, and above all take the shield of faith; for that will guard the heart, the very life, from the fiery darts (lying words) of the wicked.” If the enemy can lead the desponding to take their eyes off from Jesus, and look to themselves, and dwell upon their own unworthiness, instead of dwelling upon the worthiness of Jesus, His love, His merits, and His great mercy, he will get away their shield of faith, and gain his object; they will be exposed to his fiery temptations. The weak should therefore look to Jesus, and believe in Him; they then exercise faith.”
– Christian Experience & Teachings p.125-127.
John 15:7-8 & 6:63Quote: “We should be much in secret prayer. Christ is the Vine, we are the branches. And if we would grow and flourish, we must continually draw sap and nourishment from the Living Vine; for separated from the Vine, we have no strength. I asked the angel (of the LORD) why there was no more faith and power in Israel. He said: “Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press your petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The Promises are sure! Believe ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them.” I was then pointed to Elijah. He was subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly. His faith endured the trial. Seven times he prayed before the LORD, and at last the cloud was seen.
I saw that we had doubted the sure Promises, and wounded the Saviour by our lack of faith. Said the angel, “Gird the armor about thee, and above all take the shield of faith; for that will guard the heart, the very life, from the fiery darts (lying words) of the wicked.” If the enemy can lead the desponding to take their eyes off from Jesus, and look to themselves, and dwell upon their own unworthiness, instead of dwelling upon the worthiness of Jesus, His love, His merits, and His great mercy, he will get away their shield of faith, and gain his object; they will be exposed to his fiery temptations. The weak should therefore look to Jesus, and believe in Him; they then exercise faith.”
– Christian Experience & Teachings p.125-127.
“And He (Jesus) spake a parable unto them to this end (for this purpose), that men ought always to pray . . . without ceasing . . . and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet, because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me!
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith? And shall not God avenge His own elect which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth ?” Luke 18:1-8
In the verses above, when the LORD tells us to Ask, Seek, and Knock . . . these Words in the original greek express persistence, perseverance, and diligence. Mrs. Ellen G. White spoke of this kind of Living Faith which refused to be turned away or denied; when she spoke of “the Kingdom of heaven suffering violence, and the violent taking it by force.” references: That I May Know Him p.137, Ye Shall Receive Power p.27 and Review & Herald, February 9, 1897 par. 11.
Quote: “He Who healed the sick and cast out demons when He walked among men, is the same mighty Redeemer today. Faith comes by the Word of God. Then grasp His promise, “Him that cometh to Me I will in nowise cast out.” Cast yourself at His feet with the cry, “Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.”
Not because we see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust His Promises. When we come to Him in faith every petition enters into the heart of God. When we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank Him that we have received it !” –Special Testimonies, January 20, 1904 par. 9
We must now, go boldly to the throne of Grace, and press our cases and petitions before Him. Not in our name, but in the Name above all names. We must ask in faith . . . Claiming by faith the merits (the worthiness and value) of His perfect Righteousness; His Life here on earth, and His blood shed for each of us upon Calvary, as the Pledge that our petitions will be heard and answered. For His Sacrifice and Offering was enough to purchase for us all the blessings of heaven. “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full !” John 16:24
This is the faith which brings the Almighty Father glory and joy. When we will expect Him to do for us great and mighty things, because we have that much faith in the value of His Son’s infinite sacrifice !
Shalom and Maranatha – He is coming soon !
your friends and fellow servants,
Eric & Sarah Wilson – Isaiah Ministries
Eric & Sarah Wilson – Isaiah Ministries