April 26, 2023

At the conclusion of the message this past Sunday, I took David’s response of prayer to God’s promise to him and created an outline of prayer for us that we can use for God’s promises to us. I was encouraged by your response to this and was asked to elaborate a bit. As you do this, please look at the context of the promise in Scripture. One of the promises that is misunderstood and misapplied is Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” This appears on a too many cards and coffee mugs. If you look at the previous verse and of course the chapter, you will know that this was written to the people of Judah who were about to be taken into slavery into Babylon for 70 years! Most of them would die in Babylon. The very youngest would live long enough to see a return to Judah. The promise is not that you are going to have a great life now, but that the people of God will get back into the land. This captivity will not have the final say, even though it will last 70 years. Therefore, I cannot assume a trouble-free life based on this promise. In fact, this was not even written to me. What I can glean from it is that God is a God who keeps his promises, which he clearly did to the people of Judah. And he will keep his promises to me. Just make sure that the promise you are claiming from God’s Word was written with you in mind, and not another audience. With that caveat in view…

1.      Stop and think about a promise of God.

Example: “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” (Job 23:10)

2.      What does this promise say about God?

God knows everything about me. My way is never hidden from him. God is testing me, growing me, stretching me, and refining me for good. God can be trusted. God should be trusted. God must be trusted.

3.      What does this promise say about me?

My way will include hard times. My life will be marked by MEANINGFUL and PURPOSEFUL trials. I should not be surprised by trials. I need trials in order to be refined. There is no other way to be conformed into the image of Christ. To follow Christ is to follow a Savior who suffered. I need to embrace that and while it is not pleasant, I can find hope in the trial and songs in the night.

4.      What can you say to God about Him?

This is where it turns to prayer. “God, you know that I need to be refined. You are so good to take me through trials so that I will look to you for peace, strength, meaning, rest and hope. This means that you will not waste this trial. You will use this for my good. You will help me know your peace and your grace to me. You are faithful to your children. You can be trusted in the storm.

5.      What can you say (admit) to God about you?

I need my self-sufficiency to be wrung out of my life and replaced by a humble trust that relies upon you for everything. You alone satisfy. I should know that any trial that comes my way is not because you were napping, but because you are working out your good and wise plan in my life even while you are working out your good and wise plan in all things.

6.      Do you believe this or need help believing this?

God, this is hard to keep in mind when in the moment I really just want relief from the trial. It is so hard for me to remember that there is a bigger picture in view and a larger plan that is unfolding, but you can help see me this, believe this and even embrace this. God remind me that you are a good and Sovereign God and that you are always up to good. You are always carrying out your good plan and I will enjoy the culmination of it one day on a level that I cannot begin to comprehend now.

7.      What does this promise say about others who believe it?

God, your plan is way bigger than me. I am one part of a massive throng and this is the throng of the faithful. By your grace I will contribute to the faithfulness of this throng and to their glad worship by trusting you no matter what.

When you read your Bible, look for a promise and let the Word of God inform and form your prayers. God’s Word is a sweet gift to show us great things, but also to help us relate to God in a meaningful way.

Grace and peace,

Bob

Sunday’s text: 2 Samuel 8