Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
He Did Not Threaten
Here is an amazing truth connected with Christ's suffering: "...When he suffered, he did not threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously" (1 Peter 2:23, NKJV).
What a tremendous statement! "When he suffered, he threatened not." He never once defended himself against those who mistreated him. He punished no one nor retaliated against anyone.
How unlike us. We threaten when suffering gets unbearable; we defend ourselves; we constantly protect our rights and reputation. Worst of all, we threaten God. It's a very subtle thing, and most of us are not aware of what we are doing. When our prayers go unanswered, when trouble and disaster strike our lives, when it seems as though the Lord has let us down, when we end up lonely and in pain -- we pull back on God. We slack on prayer and Bible reading. We still love him, but we let go of our zeal. We begin to drift, and our faith becomes dull and inactive.
Those responses are all threats against the Lord.
Every time we back off from seeking the Lord with all our hearts, we are threatening him. It's a subtle way of saying, "Lord, I did my best, and you let me down."
The Lord has infinite patience with those of us who hurt. He waits lovingly until we return to his tender care. However, if we refuse to wake up and renew our faith and hope in him, it can become a way of life and a threat to God's faithfulness. Some become so disillusioned, they give in to their lusts and passions. They indulge their desires because the battle seems so hopeless. It's their way of saying, "What's the use? I call on God to help me, to deliver me, but help never comes. I've still got this thing in me after all my tears and prayers."
Our mentality finally comes to this: "I have a right to do it because I've been hurt so badly." It's a threat to God, a way of getting even with him for not answering prayer on our schedule.
Beloved, there is hope! The Lord alone is our keeper. He will not let his children slip or fall. We are held in the palm of his hand. Let us do as Christ did. He "committed himself to him who judges righteously" (1 Peter 2:23). That is to place your life completely in God's hands. Give up your struggle. Quit trying to accomplish anything in your own strength. Commit the keeping of your body and soul to the Lord of Hosts!
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I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
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