“To pray is to let Jesus glorify his name in the midst of our needs.”
—O. Hallesby
Dear church family,
Two weeks ago in Adult Sunday School, we read through a poem on prayer by George Herbert. Last week we discussed prayer and those present received a copy of Don S. Whitney’s Praying the Bible. Wow! What a class! English metaphysical poetry, free prayer materials, and exciting discussion. Who could ask for more?
We also examined a very well-known verse from Revelation 3. Jesus’ letter to the Laodiceans contains some exceptionally precious truths:
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me. (Rev. 3:19-20)
The imagery of Jesus standing at the door waiting to be given access is familiar to many of us, but what I want to mention today is the knocking of Jesus. It is Jesus who initiates contact with the believer who has fallen into a lukewarm state. He is knocking before the act of repentance occurs. He is knocking before the believer invites him into their life and experiences renewed fellowship.
The image of knocking in the New Testament is powerful. It conveys a persistent petition, as in, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Matt. 7:7-8, see also Luke 11:8-10)
The master knocks and expects the servants to be ready to respond. “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.” (Luke 12:35-37) Are you ready to respond to the Lord as he seeks a renewed relationship with you?
Have a blessed week and we will see you Sunday. D. V.
In His service,
Pastor Dale Smith
