January 21 Readings: Genesis 43, Matthew 13:44–58, Psalms 13, Proverbs 2:18–20

Links to Today's Readings: Genesis 43, Matthew 13:44–58, Psalms 13, Proverbs2:18–20

There are many mysteries in the Word of God, but probably the greatest of them is the juxtaposition of God's sovereignty and human responsibility. The Bible makes it clear that God is the Author of history and that this world is governed by him. But the Bible also makes it clear that our choices matter and that God somehow responds to what we do, how we act and how we pray. Remember the story of Jonah. God announced impending judgment on Nineveh, but when they repented of their sins, God "changed his mind" about destroying them. 

I am not going to wade into that conundrum. This is a devotional, not a theological treatise (that would take a thousand pages and still not answer all of the questions). But I wish to make a simple point. You do not have to deny the sovereignty and authority of God to assert that our prayers matter, our choices matter and that our responses to God's Word and our commitment to the Kingdom matter!

Look at Matthew 13:58. Jesus was at the height of his popularity when he went back to his little village of Nazareth, nestled in the hills of Galilee, to proclaim the same message that was gaining traction everywhere else. But at Nazareth, the people who knew him as a little boy had a hard time accepting him as the Messiah. They knew him as the son of Joseph and Mary and could not see him as the Son of God. 

And because of this, because of their lack of faith, because of their rejection of Jesus...

"He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief."

Because they did not have faith Jesus did not do miracles. Our faith matters. I don't understand how, but it is clear that this is true. James 4:2 says, "You do not have, because you do not ask." Does that not clearly teach that there are blessings that each of us would have received if we had taken the time and made the effort to ask God? 

The sovereign God of glory responds to our faith. When we fail to ask, we fail to receive. When we ask, we receive. Of course the topic is more complicated than that - there are other factors that affect prayer. But those complexities should not cause us to miss the key point.

Our prayers matter. Our faith matters. Our choices matter. 

So, we ought not be like the people of Nazareth who doubted Jesus and missed out on the blessings they might have observed. We must be men and women of faith who pray aggressively and expectantly that God will change lives and hearts all around us. Siouxland needs to see the power and glory of God that is displayed in response to the faithful prayers and hopeful dependence of his people!

Lord, I shudder to think of the blessings I've missed out on because of my lack of faith, my failure to pray and my independence from you. But I now pray in faith that you will do a mighty work at Southern Hills Baptist Church and through us (and other churches and their people) in all of Siouxland. Demonstrate your power, Lord!