The Greatest Privilege

SCRIPTURE:  “And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the LORD.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already.”  Hebrews 8:11 (NLT)

Every soul on this earth needs to  personally know Jesus.  It’s a CHOICE bearing ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES!  “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and He who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36) We each need to know Him not only for the forgiveness of our sins—although that’s the PREMIER reason—but to glorify Him each day that we live, allowing our perceptions to be transformed by His indwelling Holy Spirit. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may PROVE what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  (Romans 12:2)  “Life is hard; handle with prayer,” is       more than just a pithy axiom on a poster.

The man, woman, or even child (who has reached the age of accountability) who does not know Jesus as Lord and Savior truly does not have a prayer that God  hears.  This principle is declared in John 9:31 by the man whom Jesus, the Great Physician, healed of blindness. (John 9:1-38)    “Now we know that God does NOT hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.”  See also Proverbs 15:29 and Psalm 145:18.

Doubtless, one should also invoke prayer before making decisions that crop up all along life’s pathways.  Truly, those whom Scripture declares to be children of God have the unique privilege of praying with expectancy for divine answers BEFORE embarking on the post-high school pathway, about whom (or even IF) they should marry, about what job or career to pursue, for guidance in their selection of close friends or business partners, and on and on!  Life at every stage and season requires prayer, patience, and an underlying trust and expectation of God’s leading.  It’s no mere “crutch” to lean on the Lord God  in your decision-making in these crucial life-determining  pathways.  Given the multiple complexities, uncertainties, and innumerable patience-requiring scenarios of life, I am convinced that attempting to “DO life” independently of leaning on and trusting in Christ is nothing short of a marathonish  exercise in futility!              

PRAYER:   Oh, Father God, forgive us for being so cavalier sometimes about our dire need to seek Your face, Your leading, in all matters pertaining to life in this world.  Thank You in Jesus’ name!  Amen.

(By Denise Diggs)