The other night I was laying in bed with my thirteen year old son. I’m thankful he still likes to lay with his mama at bedtime. We talk about the day–the highs, lows, and everything in between. Then we end with a prayer. As I was praying for him on this particular night, I ended my prayer by saying, “God, please be with him at school this week.” As soon as I said that sentence, I felt the Holy Spirit’s nudge: “why are you asking me for something I’ve already promised to do?”
Whoa. That hit me in between the eyes. Isn’t it crazy how the tiniest whisper of truth from the Holy Spirit can be so convicting? And so eye opening? I suddenly felt so silly for all the times I’ve pleaded with God in prayer for things He has already promised:
In Isaiah 41:10, God promises to strengthen and help me.
In Deuteronomy 31:8, God promises to never leave me or forsake me.
In Jeramiah 29:11, God promises that He has good plans for my future.
In Exodus 14:14, God promises He will fight for me–I need only be still.
In Isaiah 43:2, God promises to be with me in deep waters.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus promises to take my burdens and give rest for my soul.
If I truly believe these promises, why do I so often pray from a place of subtle fear? I don’t know about you, but now that I really think about it, a lot of my prayers are masked in just a hint of doubt. Just a little fear that He won’t actually do what He promised to do. Shouldn’t we be praying from a place of victory? Shouldn’t we be declaring the victory that is already ours?
Thank you Lord for being with me, always.
Thank you Lord for never leaving me or forsaking me.
Thank you Lord for giving me a good future.
Thank you Lord for fighting for me in all my battles.
Thank you Lord for taking all my burdens and giving me peace.
It’s a subtle, but profound change. And one that I’m grateful the Holy Spirit corrected me in. I’m not sure if this resonates with you, but I hope it encourages you to live life and pray from a place of victory. Everything changes when we confidently walk in His promises!
Just FYI, Deuteronomy 31:8 is not a general promise. That promise was made to Israel. Furthermore, it was not unconditional. It was contingent on Israel keeping Torah (aka the Law, the Law of God, the Law of God given by the hand of Moses, and the Law of Moses). See Deuteronomy 30:15-18.
So while it’s a lovely sentiment, Deuteronomy 31:8 doesn’t really apply to you. The same is true of Exodus 14:14 (made to Israel), Isaiah 41:10 (made to Israel), Isaiah 43:2 (made to Israel), and Jeramiah 29:11 (made to Israel, specifically those exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon).
No complaints regarding Matthew 11:28. Jesus does indeed give rest to the weary if we take His yoke upon us!
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“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish.” (Deuteronomy 30:15-18, ESV)
Thanks for your input! While you are right, these promises were originally made to Israel (Isaiah 41:10) I do have to kindly disagree with your argument that it doesn’t apply to me (or you).
I absolutely believe these verses apply to all of us, as co-heirs of God’s promises thanks to Jesus Christ. Furthermore, if those verses and their truth didn’t apply to me (or you) then one could make the argument the Old Testament does not apply to all of us living in 2024–and we know that simply isn’t true. Because Jesus paid the ultimate price, we’ve been adopted into God’s family (Romans 8:15) and His faithful promises hold true for us! That’s AMAZING news.
Can I ask why you think that the promises apply to you but the obligation (Torah) does not apply to you? I have heard that claim from Christians of various denominations, but I have never understood it. Is it from Paul? I have read Paul, but I am hardly an expert.
Note: If it matters, I’m Messianic. We follow Yeshua and, of course, we keep Torah.