Daily devotional, Dec 5, 2023 Impossible dream
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6
The song “Impossible Dream” has spanned more than five decades in the airwaves. From being originally composed for a Broadway Musical, it has been performed by great singers from different generations. From Jack Jones, Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, and Matt Monro in the 1960s, Elvis Presley and Tom Jones in the 70s, Luther Vandross in the 1990s, and some three years ago, by contemporary artist Josh Groban among many others. The song’s message appealed even to top politicians from various countries. And why not, it spoke of hope amid the toughest challenges in life.
As Christians, we have an eternal hope that drives us to survive unimaginable heartbreaks and crises that will come our way in our life journey. Our Lord Jesus Christ reminds us that by faith and prayer to our one, true God, we can continue to aspire that we will get past the dark valleys in our life.
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him." 1 John 5:14-15
Moses is one bible character who knew how it is to wholeheartedly pray. As he interceded for the Israelites, back when the Lord wanted to punish them for rebelling, Moses appealed to God through the Lord’s glory, power, and promises.
“Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared: ‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.” Numbers 14:17-19
Moses’ prayer certainly gives us Christians a good example on how we present our prayers to our God. It should represent our disposition and how we view our Savior in our lives. Ask yourself these questions:
- Am I aware of the vastness of God’s power? Do I believe in my heart that the challenges I face are big but my God is much bigger, and being the owner of the world He can deliver me and quiet my soul? Do I still remember the many times he has saved me from trouble?
- Do I know God’s promises? Do I spend time reading His words enough for me to know about His promises to me, and do I carry out the premises of these promises so I could claim it as I pray? Do I even spend time to reflect, meditate, write down and memorize scripture so that I could be reminded of His love?
- Do I worship God’s glory? Do I revere His name and power above all else?
The bible tells us that the Lord listened to Moses’ prayer. He heeded his supplication not just because he appealed to His strength, capabilities, words, and glory. The Lord listened to Him foremost because of his sincere heart to pray for His people.
"The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it." Numbers 14:20-23
A lot of times, we are troubled not by our own problems, but because of the challenges and situations being faced by our loved ones. We pray for them, and ask for God’s help on their behalf. The Lord promises to hear our prayers if only we will truly have faith and believe.
In the Gospel of Mark, he featured the story of a boy possessed by a demon. The father went to the disciples to ask them to cast it out but the spirit does not leave the boy. They then went to Jesus to ask for His help, and Jesus said:
"Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:21-24
After Jesus cast out the unclean spirit on the boy and he recovered, the disciples asked Jesus why they could drive it out of his body. To this question Jesus said that the kind of spirit that possessed the boy only leaves through prayer:
“This kind can come out only by prayer."
Mark 9:29
Prayer indeed works, and it should be backed by strong faith in the power of the Lord. If you are in a place where you feel hopeless about what and who you are praying for, revere the Lord and patiently wait for His response:
"From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.”
Isaiah 64:4
Someone once said, God never wastes our tears, and He indeed does not. Everything that happens to us happens for God’s good reason, in accordance to His best plans. If we will just truly be patient for the answers, abide by Him in the whole process, and live in His light, He will respond.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Numbers 14:11-23, Mark 9:14-29 and Psalm 29:1-3 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are you praying for someone who desperately needs God’s help today? How can your faith help him more apart from praying for him?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me access to you through your son Jesus Christ. Help me strengthen my faith more so I could bring more people closer to you through prayers, and by sharing with them the good news of your salvation. Amen.
