Friday, March 24, 2017
Has this ever happened to you?: You are trying to do a fix-it job at home on an appliance or gadget and just when you think you’ve done all the necessary steps, nothing happens. Then, after a while, you realize the power is off. I hate to admit it but this has happened to me much more than once. I think it is the same in our Christian life. Sometimes we can’t figure out why we don’t get a certain petition answered. After a while, it dawns on us that we are not connected to the power. Something has happened to interrupt our relationship with God. When dealing with certain members’ issues, I give them what I believe is the biblical remedy for their situation. If, after a while, their issue is not resolved, I ask them about their relationships, first with God and then with people in their lives. You’ll be surprised how often they confess a hidden sin or a falling out with someone. Once they do what needs to be done, their fellowship with God is restored and the joy and victory returns.
In his first letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul pointed out some reasons why some of it’s members had become sick or even died. They were participating in the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner. To put it more simple, they too had unconfessed sin in their lives. Paul advised them to examine themselves before they participated in the Lord’s holy ordinance so that they wouldn’t suffer the same fate as those before them. The writer of Psalm 66: apparently knew this truth as well. That is why he added: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” (verse 18) This speaks of a sin a person likes and is not willing to let go, much less confess it.
After Adam and Eve sinned and later heard the sound of the Lord walking in the Garden, they tried to hide from Him. And since we were all blessed with Adam’s nature, it is not unusual if one of our first instincts is to try to hide from God when we have failed Him. Thank God that, because of Christ, we no longer have to hide after we sin. I John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” He is so willing to receive and forgive us when we sin that He even invites us to draw near. The writer of the book of Hebrews said it this way: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
If you have wondered why God hasn’t answered one of your special prayers, perhaps you may want to examine your life. If you have sinned or if there is something amiss, whatever you do, please don’t run and hide. The Lord wants to heal and restore you.
God’s promise for today: (James 4:8) “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
