January 6, 2013 – Pastor Tim – “Call Upon the Lord” – Click to download
1 John 5:14(NCV), “And this is the boldness we have in God’s presence: that if we ask God for anything that agrees with what He wants, He hears us.” It is so wonderful to be able to call on the Lord in prayer and come boldly into His presence! Sometimes we don’t know how desperately we need God’s peace until we get into His presence.
Our Heavenly Father has much to tell us, but we have to take the time to commune with Him. The more we do that, the more we experience His peace. If only we knew that He came to help and not condemn. If only we knew that tomorrow will be better than today. If only we knew He wants us safely home. How crucial that we pause to receive eternal life. If only we knew to trust. Trust that God is in our corner. Trust that God wants what is best… If only we could learn to trust Him.
John 14:27 (NCV), “I leave you peace; my peace I give you. I do not give it to you as the world does. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Psalm 34:10b, “But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” Are you “wanting” or lacking some good things in your life? Are you lacking peace? If you are, let me ask you this: have you been seeking the Lord?
Notice some other things that Psalm 34says. Psalm 34:15, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.” We can talk to God because God listens. Our voice matters in heaven. God takes us very seriously. When you and I enter His presence, He turns to us to hear our voice. No need to fear that we will be ignored. Even if we stammer or stumble, even if what we have to say impresses no one, it impresses God. God listens…Intently…Carefully…With grace and mercy…Love and forgiveness. I’m thankful that the Lord sees and hears us. But the verses just before this tell us that we have a part to play. Psalm 34:13-14, “Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.” It is so important to keep our lips from saying hurtful words and spreading gossip. Psalm 34:17 goes on to say, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.” You might say, “I’ve been living right. I’ve kept my lips from speaking deceit. But when I cry out to the Lord, He doesn’t seem to hear me.”
Or you may be thinking, “So-and-So isn’t living right, but everything they pray about comes to pass. What’s wrong, Lord?”
God doesn’t mind if we express our true feelings to Him and ask questions. Psalm 37:7-9 tells us what to do when we have questions. “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth.”
If you have been praying about something and the answers haven’t come, I believe the Lord is saying, “Rest in Me and I will bring it to pass.”
In other words, don’t worry or fret any longer. Just rest in Him. Hebrews 4:3a says, “For we who have believed do enter that REST.” When we rest, we’re at peace, aren’t we?
How’s your peace? What cares are you still holding on to? Don’t you think it is about time you let them go and rest in the Lord? There is peace in the Throne Room.
I’m sure there have been days of turmoil in your lives, just as there have been in mine. There have been times when I’ve been troubled in my spirit as I got down on my knees to pray. But as I communed with my Heavenly Father, my heart was flooded with peace.
When we call upon the Lord, He will refresh and restore our souls. He will heal our scars and heal our emotions.
As we come to God’s Throne Room in prayer, depression and confusion will go. Negative memories will fade. Our troubled spirits will grow calm, and the joy of the Lord will return. Our strength will return. God will restore passion to our hearts. Breakthroughs and peace will come as we call upon the Lord and rest in Him.
Proverbs 3:5-8,
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.
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