Sunday February 14, 2021

God’s Big Purpose for Our Little Prayer

Have you ever wondered why God answers prayer? Or why He chooses to bless us? We know He is able and that He does answer, but why? Well, the answer is found tucked away in Psalm 67. The psalmist asks of God, “Be gracious to us and bless us, and let your face shine upon us so that…” (See WORD WISDOM for a deeper study of able)

There it is! That little “so that” clauses reveals the highest purpose for blessings and answered prayer. So what is that purpose? He is. God Himself is the purpose. His glory is the reason. The testimony of His gracious love and favor is why He answers prayer.

God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah. So that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. (Ps.67:1-2)

In verse 2, the psalmist declares that blessings and answered prayer will show the earth His wonderful salvation. It reveals that He is the only God the earth needs…there is no other god besides Him. He alone is the glory. And when He responds to our prayer, the world will see that. Not only is He the only God, but the only Savior.

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. (1 Jn.4:14-15)

Not only does the psalmist tell us that is He the only God and the only Savior, He is the only Judge.

Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations on earth. Selah (Ps.67:4)

Remember, the psalmist asked God to bless him so that people might know His salvation. But then He adds “Bless me” so that people would see that He judges justly and rightly. We may not understand His judgments but our blessed lives stand as a witness to divine justice.

The psalmist concludes with this:

Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him. (Ps.67:6-7)

He is the only One worthy to receive our awesome reverence. And by answering our prayers, blessing us, and bestowing upon us His graciousness the world will catch a glimpse of His absolute awesomeness. And we thought answered prayer was all about us! It’s always all about Him.

In our “all about me” society, we can sometimes forget that we are called to be a witness to others…that we are to live for others…that we are to serve others…and if need be, die for others. Is it any wonder then that our faithful God would bless us for the sake of others? That should just bring a smile to our hearts.

I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Gen.12:2-3)

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Related Scripture

God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah. That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.

— Psalm 67:1-2

Word Wisdom

able

Hebrew "yakol" (yah-kole) Strong’s #3201

To be able, to have power; having the capacity to prevail or succeed. This verb is used 200 times in the Old Testament. Generally it is translated by such English words as “can,” “could,” or “be able”; in a few references, “prevail.” (1 Kings 22:22, Esther 6:13). In Esther 8:6 it is translated as “endure”; the compassionate queen asks, “How can I endure to see the evil that will come to my people?” In Numbers 13:30, Caleb uses the intensive repetition of "yakol": “Let us go up...for we are well able to overcome it.”

So...

While crossing the Atlantic on an ocean liner, F.B. Meyer was asked to address the first class passengers. At the captain’s request he spoke on “Answered Prayer.” An agnostic who was present at the service was asked by his friends, “What did you think of Dr. Meyer’s sermon?” He answered, “I didn’t believe a word of it.” That afternoon Meyer went to speak to the steerage passengers. Many of the listeners at his morning address went along, including the agnostic, who claimed he just wanted to hear “what the babbler had to say.” Before starting for the service, the agnostic put two oranges in his pocket. On his way he passed an elderly woman sitting in her deck chair fast asleep. Her hands were open. In the spirit of fun, the agnostic put the two oranges in her outstretched palms. After the meeting, he saw the old lady happily eating one of the pieces of fruit. “You seem to be enjoying that orange,” he remarked with a smile. “Yes, sir,” she replied, “My Father is very good to me.” “Your father? Surely your father can’t be still alive!” “Praise God,” she replied, “He is very much alive.” “What do you mean?” pressed the agnostic. She explained, “I’ll tell you, sir. I have been seasick for days. I was asking God somehow to send me an orange. I suppose I fell asleep while I was praying. When I awoke, I found He had not only sent me one orange but two!” The agnostic was speechless. Later he was converted to Christ. Yes, praying in God’s will brings an answer.