God Pauses For One
Wednesday, February 18
Habakkuk 3:1-3 (ESV)
“A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth. O LORD, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O LORD, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy. God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.”
Devotion
This week, Pastor Franklin pointed out many examples in Scripture where the Creator of heaven and earth paused to answer one person when they prayed. Jesus further demonstrated this when He was on earth. Time and again, as Jesus was about the Father’s business, He paused to answer, to help, and to heal when interrupted by a single individual. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” a blind man cried out from a crowd (Mark 10:47–48). Jesus stopped a procession to speak to the man and heal him.
Beyond our personal requests, our prayers can change the course of history in our families and communities. In today’s passage, Habakkuk, one of God’s prophets of old, was bold enough to ask that God bring revival to his generation. God, the Holy One, arrayed in splendor, responded to Habakkuk’s prayer. When we baptize our God-given aspirations in prayer, God’s power can lead us beyond all we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).
Jesus taught that saying the same prayer 100 times does not impress God (Matthew 6:7). Repetitious prayer seeks to pressure God into action. Regular prayer trains our soul to submit to and commune with God. In this way, the Apostle Paul’s instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 for followers of Jesus to “pray without ceasing” presents no contradiction to Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 6. Prayer can be short and to the point. Our prayers for a given situation may grow longer as the Holy Spirit leads us in how and what to pray in agreement with the will of God.
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
It is humbling and fearful that You pay attention when I pray. Keep me from vain repetition or presumptuous prayers. God Almighty, thank You for pausing to listen to me. How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me? I acknowledge and receive the gift of salvation through Jesus the Messiah. With Your help, I will keep my commitments and promises. I will be thankful. Help me to be quick to invite You to work in me and in the events and people in my life. Please show me what You are willing to do for me, for my family, and for those to whom You send me. Help me to fix my gaze on You as I pray about those things. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
We were exhorted during Sunday’s worship (as in Matthew chapter 5), “Blessed are those who run to Him, who place their hope and confidence in Jesus. Blessed are those who fix their gaze, who fix their face on Jesus; they won’t be shaken.” Let us practice praying short, earnest prayers throughout the day. Let us invite Jesus into our circumstances and set our hearts and minds on pilgrimage with Him until we meet Him face to face.
Resources
- What if what’s left is more than enough? Tune in to “The God of What’s Left” and discover how God turns remnants into revival and scarcity into abundance.
- If you’re looking for a place to grow, build meaningful friendships, and truly feel a sense of belonging, Connect Groups are the best next step. Join one today.