THE BIG PICTURE
Part 4 of 7 in Work of Honor devotional seriesd
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
“Has your Dad refinanced you home yet, Missy?” Cassie asked her 5th grade classmate at recess. (See Kingdom Warriors devotion).
“Uh, not quite.”
“What does that mean? We’re anxious for you to stay in your house.” Cassie said.
“Yeah, me too” Missy admitted. “The judge gave us six months before we have to leave.”
Whenever we pray for others, it’s natural to want to know what happened. But feedback to prayer isn’t promised. Our job is to pray the situation into God’s hands, then let it go. (Of course, we can do this many times). No prayers are wasted. But we’re to wait on the Lord for His work and answer (Psalm 27:14).
This wasn’t what God originally intended for His kids, you know. The perfect place, Garden of Eden, was where perfect kids, Adam and Eve, lived. God’s perfection was upended when Adam and Eve sinned. The Father extended His grace to His children by sending his Son Jesus to save us from our sins. Jesus’ spilled blood and death expended (finished) the work of redemption, which covers all sin.
While the words “awesome” and “amazing” are over used today, what Jesus offers us is that spectacular. Wouldn’t you agree? When Jesus offers us “Keys to the Kingdom,” believers’ image changes us from “nice people who’re going to heaven,” to Holy Spirit-empowered prayer warriors. Holy Spirit-divine power assists us in daily living. We get to impact others with God’s grace, through applied prayer (Ephesians 3:16).
This sinful world is the result of Satan’s hellish rule. (Partnering with Jesus is advancing the rule of God’s will, from Keys of the Kingdom devotion). God means to redeem not only people, but all creation. His kids are earth’s kingdom prayer warriors. Our job is to partner with God in returning all creation back to His original plan and purpose! Jesus leads the charge, and His disciples (you and me) follow. As we wait on Jesus’ return, our assignment is the business of prayer.
Take Home Nugget
Luke 19:11-13 is a picture of Kingdom Warriors. Jesus gives each disciple 10 years’ wages, then leaves town. In Jesus’ absence, His shed blood and the indwelling Spirit transforms us holy and righteous. Our wages—power through prayer, drawn from a divine account in heaven—never run out.
We’re battling a Satanic war, that’s true.
Our job is praying for others, so get out of your pew!
Jesus says, “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do!”
dJack Hayford with Rebecca Hayford Bauer, Penetrating the Darkness (Chosen, Michigan: a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2011), 19-28.
J.D. Griffith
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