Selected passages
Some people are already frustrated with how things are going in our world. Even more frustrating is the implementation of the ever-changing rules and guidelines for pushing down and flatten the Covid-19 curve. So many of us have known someone who lost a relative or friend to Covid-19. It was tough to lose someone whose miles away from you, frustrating, things maybe…
1. We must turn to God in prayer.
“7Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what person is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:7-11.
· Prayer should not be the last option for us, but the very first as it allows us to tap on God’s unlimited resources.
· Ask: We used understandable words to communicate what we need to God. Not for God’s benefit, but for us, so that we may testify to others our specific answered prayer.
· Seek: We use our minds to seek answers from God’s word.
· Knock: In humility, we come at heaven’s door in the hope that God will open His door to give what is good for us, according to His own will, infinite knowledge and unlimited power.
· In answering prayers, God’s character is revealed. See verses 9-11.
What specific answered prayer could you share with someone who’s struggling today? How can your prayer encourage someone today? Make it a point, to ask God for specific things, and see how God answers them.
2. We must observe God’s “Golden Rule”.
“12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
· “The Law and the Prophet” is a reference to the Scriptures.
· Within the context of Matthew 7: 7-12; our conscious, intentional and willingness to obey God’s word will have a direct affect in our prayers.
“A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much.” James 5:16
· Frustrations are opportunities to display Christ-like behavior.
· When one rushes to blow off steam out of frustration, one tends to criticize people. Golden rule application: If you don’t want to relational tensions, mind your words!
· Sometimes it helps to have someone to confide. But be aware that confiding in a wrong way can also result to misunderstanding. Golden rule application: If you want your confidante to understand you, help them to understand. Be clear what you want to accomplish.
3. We must keep our eyes on God all the time.
“12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12.
· A vast army was coming to annihilate Judah.
· The very first thing Jehoshaphat, king of Judah did, was to look to God for help. See 2 Chron. 20:4.
· In his prayer, King Jehoshaphat acknowledged their utter dependence on God.
· Jehoshaphat was considered a good king because of the social, governmental and spiritual reforms he implemented.
· Jehoshaphat never looked into his achievements to come to God, but appealed to God’s righteous judgement, His power, His goodness and His faithfulness to Abrahamic covenant. See 2 Chron. 20:6-7; 12.
· The king of Judah appealed for God’s mercy to save them. See 2 Chron. 20:9.
· Helpless, desperate and frustrated, the people of Judah cried out to the Lord.
· Crying out to the Lord is a demonstration of faith in God’s sovereign power, perfect, infinite knowledge, wisdom and unlimited resources.
· When the Lord heard their cries, He acted and saved Judah from utter destruction by sowing confusion to their enemies.
Friends, what frustrates you in this life? How are you taking things? Where do you set your eyes on? Have you ever felt helpless and desperate? Would you come to the Lord today, look to Him, cry out to Him and ask Him to save you?