Too Much Prayer?

The Israelites were fleeing Pharaoh’s fast approaching army when they found themselves trapped by the sea. Moses prayed but the Lord’s response was, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water . . .” (Exodus 15:15-16). For Moses to have kept on praying rather than obeying would have turned prayer – a supposed act of devotion – into an act of rebellion. Let’s not forget that it was in an era when sacrifice was a form of worship when, in disgust, God told King Saul, “To obey is better than sacrifice . . . For rebellion is like the sin of divination,” (1 Samuel 15:22).

Over and over and over, the Bible tells us that God expects us to act and not to lazily leave it all to him. For just one of countless examples, consider how many different expressions he uses to ram home the point that if we want divine victory over temptation, we must act:

    Do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature – Romans 13:14

    Set your minds on things above – Colossians 3:2

    Say ‘No’ to ungodly and worldly passions – Titus 2:12

    Flee from sexual immorality – 1 Corinthians 6:18

    Get rid of all moral filth – James 1:21

    Rid yourselves of all malice . . . deceit, hypocrisy, etc – 1 Peter 2:1

    Put on the new self – Colossians 3:10

    Put aside the deeds of darkness – Romans 13:12

    Put off your old self – Ephesians 4:22

    Put to death . . . whatever belongs to your earthly nature – Colossians 3:5

    Throw off . . . the sin that so easily entangles – Hebrew 12:1

    And many more.

Whether it be victory over temptation, growing your faith in God’s love, or whatever, God has already set everything up for you; now it’s your move. God is love and true love delights in partnership, not domination. God has done his part; now it’s your turn.

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