"The Brightest Moon"

"What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:7-8).

Gains and losses operate differently in the spiritual realm than in the natural. Victories in the former may feel and appear to be defeats in the latter. Strength sometimes manifests itself as weakness. Joy finds its truest expression in sorrow. The appearance of need may actually be the treasure chest and forerunner of abundance. Tombs of mournful death become temples of glorious resurrection. Indeed, our very faith began in the life, death and newness of life of One whose seemingly ignominious end actually led to triumph and the inheriting of that "Name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:9).

"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24).

"Righteous judgment" is whatever God declares to be true in His Word about any and every matter. For the born again believer in the Lord Jesus, this declaration proclaims that "all things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). According to His perfect love, foreknowledge and wisdom, our Heavenly Father weaves all things into the tapestry of His perfectly intentioned purposes for our lives. The pleasant and the painful have their place in conforming us to the image of the Lord Jesus. Both are branches of the same glorious tree, and while the fruit of one tastes sweet and the fruit of the other bitter, both provide spiritual nutrients necessary for us to survive and thrive in that heavenly realm of our truest citizenship.

It's never easy to see God's light as it "shineth in darkness" (John 1:5). However, for the eyes of faith that look up in hope rather than casting the downward and despairing glance so natural to our flesh, the blackest night serves as backdrop for the brightest moon (orange, of course). Our Lord is loving enough, wise enough, powerful enough, and willing enough to grace us with His best when life seems to hand us its worst. We shall one day discover that our greatest gains came to us in our most difficult losses as the Lord Jesus revealed over and over again to reveal the triumph of an empty tomb, an occupied throne, and nail-scarred Hands that transcend our challenges so that "in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Romans 8:37).

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh."

(II Corinthians 4:7-11)

"The Fruit of Prayer" - Conclusion

"Amen"

We conclude our considerations on prayer with a consideration of the conclusion of most of our prayers.

The word "amen" means "firm" or "faithful" in its most direct connotation. It primarily expresses the notion or implication of "So be it." "Amen" was transliterated in Scripture from the original Hebrew to Greek, and then to Latin, English and many other languages to the degree it is considered almost a universal word. "Amen" is nearly identical to the Hebrew word "amam" (faithful), and is accordingly used at the end of prayer to express assurance in God's faithful answers.

In this light, "amen" takes on a different meaning than we usually consider. While we may conclude our prayers with the word, the effect should actually result in the beginning or ongoing of God's dynamic involvement in whatever issue we address. According to His wisdom and purposes, our Heavenly Father has chosen to accomplish much of His work in the world through the agency of human prayer. He acts by inspiring and enabling His trusting children to ask for Divine activity in accordance with His will and our need. "Amen" expresses our confidence in the faithfulness of God to answer our prayers, and to do for us what we ourselves cannot do.

Saying "Amen" as we conclude our prayers therefore implies also the conclusion of our human efforts, and the inception or continuation of God's efforts. We recognize that His working may involve our participation in the sense that He works in and through us "to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). Accordingly, we present ourselves to the Lord as we pray to be His means of answer, if He sees fit. We nevertheless affirm "the works of the Lord" and "the operation of His hands" as we pray and as we say our Amen (Psalm 28:5). Furthermore, we acknowledge that our praying itself results from His moving upon us and within us by His Spirit. Yes, the fruit of prayer springs forth from the Root of He to whom we pray, and to whom we look for "life and breath and all things" (Acts 17:25). Amen.

"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

(Revelation 22:20)

"The Fruit of Prayer" Part 24

- 24 -

"Most Standing In Need Of Prayer"

Preachers of old used to pray at the conclusion of services, "Lord, touch the one most standing in need of prayer."

At various times, that includes all of us, doesn't it? Our spiritual enemies do all they can to distract and discourage us, pointing to sins, failures, and feelings of religious coldness and disinterest. In such times, we do "most stand in need of prayer," that is, we need our own prayers. We feel disqualified from such access to God, however, as we project the sense of alienation we feel in our hearts upon His heart. Thus, when we most need to pray, we feel that we can't.

In such times, we commit what one of those preachers of old called "the second sin." The first sin involves whatever particular expression of fleshly unbelief and disobedience we have embraced. We sin the second sin when we fail to remember, affirm and avail ourselves of the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ, as provided through the shed blood of His atoning work on the cross of Calvary.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).

The second sin of prayerlessness regarding repentance leads to prayerlessness regarding everything. Our stained conscience tells us that in the time when we most stand in need of prayer, we cannot pray. The Word of God and the Spirit of God, conversely, would tell us that in times of sin, our Heavenly Father most stands in readiness to answer our prayer of humble contrition and acknowledgement of sin. Just as the father ran to his repentant and returning son in the story of the prodigal, so our Heavenly Father is "ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy to them that call upon Thee" (Psalm 86:5). Yes, ready forgiveness and abundant mercy await us when we have wandered. But we must call.

We must also believe that when we call for forgiveness and cleansing, God answers. As we do, we will discover a conscience cleansed through the efficacy of Christ's work on our behalf, and the Holy Spirit's application thereof to our hearts. Such grace blesses us with the sense of freedom to approach the throne so rightly termed by the writer of Hebrews "the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16). A life of prayer ensues because the sense of freely given acceptance and favor with God causes genuine desire for communion with Him. As we often suggest, we pray most consistently and sincerely when our first consideration involves not our own desires and inclinations, but rather our Lord's delight in our communion with Him - "the prayer of the upright is His delight" (Proverbs 15:8). Add to this the blessed truth that "He delighteth in mercy," and an unhindered path to the throne of God stands before us always, and when we most stand in need of prayer.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

(Hebrews 4:16)