MEMORISE:
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29
READ: Luke 18:1-8
1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
MESSAGE
The benefits of the elect are innumerable, but we will be reflecting on just one of these today, which is the benefit of answered prayers. Who are the elect in the first place? Isaiah 42:1a says,
“Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth;...”
The elects are those with whom the Lord is well pleased. How does one become an object of God’s pleasure? The Holy Spirit answers that question in Psalm 147:11, where He says:
“The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.”
Because God has given freewill to every person, we all have a role to play to be numbered among His elect. Whether people believe it or not, God has His favorites. You can choose to be one of His favorites by fearing Him and willing to walk in His ways. As a man, Jesus Christ was a favorite of God because He willingly offered Himself to do God’s will (Hebrews 10:5, Philippians 2:5-11). Therefore, in Matthew 3:17, God declared concerning Him:
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
No wonder Jesus Enjoyed the benefit of answered prayers to the maximum when He was in the flesh. In John 11:41c-42, He said at the tomb of His friend Lazarus:
“Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.”
Proverbs 15:29 tells us that the Lord hears the prayer of the righteous. Righteousness is a gift of grace that we receive through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22, Romans 5:17). Faith is required to obtain the righteousness of God which qualifies us to be numbered among His elect. This issue of faith is so important if we are to enjoy the benefit of answered prayers, so much s that when Jesus taught on the place of persistence in prayer, He asked this question in Luke 18:8b
“Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
This question needs an individual response from everyone.
Beloved, you need to be one of God’s elect if you want your prayers to be answered. God listens to the cry of the elect and responds positively to their requests. You can enjoy this benefit if you give your life to Christ today and continually live by faith in His word.
KEY POINT:
The Good Shepherd only recognizes the voice of His sheep. If your prayers go unanswered, it’s time for you to check your life and your faith.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 31-32
Jeremiah 38:1-13
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 8: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm, and changeless be,
A living fire!
While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.
When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold, sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul!
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