JUST LISTEN TO GOD

10/31/2022

"God has no use for the prayers of the people who won't listen to Him..." Proverbs 28:9 MSG

As a young Christian, I knew some folks would pray from sun-up to sundown. They woke up at midnight to call down fire on their enemies; yet, their lives were void of the results of their prayer. For the most part, it was as though the more they called down fire on their enemies, the bolder their so-called enemies got in their assaults on them.

However, as I grew up in the things of God, I realized that they did not see the results because they were not doing as God's Word had instructed. Had they done what God whispered in their ears to do, the screaming at God would have been unnecessary. Am I then suggesting that we shouldn't pray? Certainly not! Because prayer is the lifeline of the Christian. Yet, it is no substitute for obeying God's Word. As vital as prayer is in the life of a believer, it can become ineffective and stale before God. The prophet Samuel had to say to King Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22, "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." Because King Saul failed to do as God had instructed him, his sacrifice was useless before God.

Imagine a fellow praying that God would give him a house, and as he prayed, he heard God say, "Go and serve in your church." But instead of doing as instructed, he ignored the instruction and continued to pray. Do you think that this fellow will have the job that he prayed for? I don't think so because God answered His prayer for a house by telling him to serve his local church. The manifestation of his house then is tied to his obedience to God's instruction. And until he does what God said, he will suffer affliction like one who never prayed. Proverbs 28:9 says, "God has no use for the prayers of the people who won't listen to him.."

As you pray, be mindful of what God is saying. And when you get a hold of it, DO IT QUICKLY. Remember, God is more pleased with you doing His Word than you praying and asking Him to do it. After all, it's the doer of the Word that lives victoriously in the face of daunting challenges.

Be blessed!

Faith-Filled Confession:

My ears are inclined to hear God's voice today, and my heart is positioned to obey. As I obey, I see the Word manifest in all that concerns me, in Jesus' name, Amen.

One Year Reading Plan: Jeremiah 23-24; 2 Timothy 2