GOD ANSWERS QUICKLY BECAUSE OF GODLY FEAR

FRIDAY 3 JUNE 2022

God answers quickly when we live a life of deep commitment to Him and are actively fulfilling His will. As we serve and worship God in spirit and in truth, we become true worshippers who are steadfast and faithful in observing the sanctity and devotion influenced by the Spirit of God. Simply put, if you are born again, and you truly worship God with devout behaviour, ever quick to shun evil, God listen to your prayers with immediate effect.

Reference: Hebrews 5:7 New Living Translation (NLT) "While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears...And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God."

In the days of His flesh, Jesus often offered up prayers and supplications, and at some point, He prayed with vehement cries and tears to God. Notably, because of His deep reverence for God, His prayers were promptly heard and answered by God. Remarkably, He received swift answers to His prayers because of His godly fear. In the fewest possible words, Christ greatly honoured God by His reverent submission to Him and He displayed an unfailing determination to action the Father's will during the days of His earthly life. He lived in special regard and active obedience to God and His acts of piety to the will of God were impeccable and exemplary.

As a Priest appointed forever by God after the order or rank of Melchizedek, Christ was an unimpeachable proof that God responds speedily to those who have and sustain godly fear or have deep reverence for Him. This is the reason I lay emphasis on the latter part of today's verse, "And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God", which is the most important lesson to grasp in today's article. Why? It's because regardless of the quality or amount of priestly prayer and supplication Jesus offered to our Father in heaven, whether in joy, or in agony or desperation, God didn't really respond because of it. Again, it was noted that Jesus offered His prayers with a loud cry and tears, and even when He wept in sorrow, God didn't answer because of the strength of His shout and scream, abundance of His tears, or the loudness of the sound of His voice.

So what was the secret behind the excessive speed or urgency by which God answered Jesus' prayers? God continually heard and hastily answered His prayers because of His deep reverence or godly fear. Beloved, let me reveal the timeless truth: The fear of God is the true expression of divine wisdom. That was the visible secret that gave Christ the advantageous favour and a fitting reward in His prayer life. Today, the search for true wisdom is too hard because it comes with a high cost. According to Job chapter 28 (NASB version), the Bible says, "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Mankind does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living. The ocean depth says, 'It is not in me'; And the sea says, 'It is not with me.'

Pure gold cannot be given in exchange for wisdom, nor can silver be weighed as its price. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx, or sapphire. Gold or glass cannot equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for articles of pure gold. Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned; And the acquisition of wisdom is more valuable than pearls. The topaz of Cush cannot equal it, Nor can it be valued in pure gold. Now watch this: In Job 28:28 (NASB), 'And finally God revealed the secret to mankind, "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to turn away from evil is understanding."' In a nutshell, godly fear or deep reverent devotion to God is the key to His quick response and answer to prayer. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Psalm 34:15; Jeremiah 29:12-13; Psalm 66:17-20; John 9:31; 1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 5:14-15.

Guided Prayer: Gracious Father, I thank you because you listen to my prayers and you are ever ready to answer me speedily. Hence, this is the confidence I have in approaching you: when I ask anything in the name of Jesus, I receive it and my joy is complete because I fear you, which is true wisdom that cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price. Today and always, I run the heavenly race with my eyes fixed upon Jesus, who authors and brings my faith to perfection as I function by godly fear, in Jesus' Name, Amen!