Verse of the Day 4/14

Through the Bible - 1 Samuel 18-19, Luke 15:11-32

Good morning,
Our Pastor Bob had a very powerful message this weekend regarding "gut wrenching prayer". I must say that with the events in my life that I could easily relate to the message. I've made some "gut wrenched" prayers in my life and I know that there will be more. These types of prayers are life changing. They do not always, perhaps don't usually (at least immediately) change the circumstances, but often change our hearts which lead to a change in ourselves and eventually our circumstances.
I know that I've shared several times the circumstances around our son Jeff's accident which left him with a traumatic brain injury and permanently disabled. That was a time of "gut wrenching prayer".
The morning before his accident, providentially, God had brought me to Hebrews chapter 10 followed by Hebrews chapter 11 the day of his accident. I've always looked to Hebrews 11 and the "Hall of Faith" to help me through difficult times.
Today's verse comes from chapter 10 which encourages and challenges us to "draw near to God" and to "hold fast without wavering". Good advice, especially when approaching Him with a "gut wrenching prayer".
Heb 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. NKJVJohn MacArthur writes, "
This verse (22) describes the prerequisites for entering the presence of God (Ps. 15) sincerity, security, salvation, and sanctification." Regarding the "true heart" he writes, "The Greek term behind "true" carries the idea of being sincere, genuine and without ulterior motives (Jer. 24:7, Matt. 15:8)."
These prayers may not be eloquent or polite, in fact they may be (as Bob had mentioned) quite "raw", but they are open and honest. This is what it means to "pour out our hearts to God".
No matter what the situation, I would encourage you to have the "boldness" (verse 19) "pour out your hearts to God". The holding fast and confession of faith without wavering don't come easy, but give evidence of the salvation and faith that we have.
Lord willing, we'll take a look at some more verses on this topic this week.
Read the rest of the passage below. There is instruction and guidance for those of us in these situations and for us who know of others that are in them.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Heb 10:19-26

Hold Fast Your Confession

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.


NKJV