Approaching God

Hebrews 4 : 14 - 16, Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. NKJV

When we approach God in prayer, we must always be mindful that God knows the needs we have, even before we ask. However, if God already knows what we're going to say, then why does He require us to come to Him in prayer with our requests? We find part of the answer to this question in James 4:7. God gives grace to the humble, but He opposes the proud. Therefore, when we humble ourselves and approach God's throne with our requests, it shows Him our humility and brokenness. 

Many people in today's society have forgotten how God has taken care of them; however, this isn't anything new...the children of Israel forgot the goodness of God while they were in the wilderness. Often times when a person or "a people" have to endure hardship and lack, they will forget all that God has done for them. 

The purpose for today's word is to address the pride and unbelief that people and believers have in their hearts when they come before the Lord. Allow me to explain. After the Lord delivered the children of Israel from the land of bondage, they seemed to forget very quickly all that the Lord had done on their behalf in order to set them free. Why did the Jews struggle to remember an occasion that was as monumental in the lives and in the history of Israel as God bringing them up from the land of bondage and parting the Red Sea to separate them from their oppressors?

When they entered into the wilderness, they had no provisions, such as food and water, and this "made" them dependent upon God. You might tend to think that they would be so thankful to God for bringing them out of bondage that they would never forget His goodness; and they certainly would not speak evil against Him. Nevertheless, because of the unbelief that was in their hearts, they did. They didn't want to be dependent upon the Lord, neither did they want to hear His voice or keep His commandments. 

Consequently, for these aforementioned reasons, the children of Israel constantly forgot God's goodness, even though He was faithful to provide for them for forty years. They repeatedly required God prove Himself to them, even though He already showed Himself to be trustworthy. Doesn't this sound like the Israelites were full of pride and unbelief? Yes, it does. Guess what? Our generation is duplicating Israel's acts of pride and unbelief against the Lord. We're following in their footsteps; however, we don't have to go down that same path and perish in the wilderness, forfeiting the promises of God in our lives.

Have you noticed how hard our society has become toward God and His Word? People are blaming the Lord for the trouble and trials that they're facing. Nonetheless, it isn't His fault. Pride and unbelief will blind people to their own sin; As a result, they will blame God and others for the consequences of their actions. Instead of humbling themselves and asking the Lord to forgive them, they point their finger at the face of God and demand He intervene and deliver them.

This is the question the Lord posed to me: Why is it that when people, who say they believe in God find themselves in a hard or painful place, they deem it necessary to question and blame God, instead of humbling themselves and seeking the Lord? We do this only when we don't want to be dependent on or have to acknowledge the Lord in our hearts. We simply want what we desire, not what God desires for us. This attitude must be changed before our situations can be changed for the better. It's time that ministers begin to call the nations to repentance for our prideful ways and unbelieving hearts.

How has your attitude been toward the Lord when you have had to face difficult days? Are you humble and broken before Him? Or are you pointing a finger at God and "telling" Him what you want Him to do for you? I know this is a very sobering word, but it's time we face our own sin and repent. We must humble ourselves before the Lord, call on His name, and turn from our wicked ways. Perhaps the Lord will hear our humble prayers, forgive our sins, and heal our land. 

If the Holy Spirit has touched your heart through this word today, will you email me and share what God has done for you? You can contact me personally at passion30@whcnorth.org.

Thank You Lord for Your Goodness, 

Pastor Asa Dockery