September 21: THE KING’S LIFELINE
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10 (NKJV)
Jesus gave us the model prayer as a succinct launching point to a life of prayer, not to be endlessly repeated in rote fashion, but to establish the meaning and expand the purposes of prayer. This loving communication between the Heavenly Father and His children is the ‘lifeline’ that renders the humble, obedient soul a citizen of heaven.
God loves us with a purity that we can hardly fathom because of the enemy’s dark influences upon our minds. Nevertheless, He is perfectly able to pierce through, to reach even the most damaged, sinful minds with His love—a love displayed without a trace of vagueness or ambiguity. There is no higher honor than to be loved by the Almighty. He is the One who first loved us (1 John 4:19). And to think that He desires for us to genuinely love Him back! How could we not?
We are taught early in the model prayer—immediately after the clear acknowledgement of exactly Who it is that we are approaching in prayer—to ask for His kingdom to come and for His will to be accomplished on earth as it is in heaven… Right out of the gate, this model prayer displays the kingship of Our Father in Heaven. We are asking Him for His kingdom to come down to us—and onto the earth. A King is a ruler, and a ruler has, well…rules! Our magnanimous Ruler and heavenly Lawgiver, is our amazing Commander in Chief! As our heavenly Father who knows what is best for us, He desires for His children to wholeheartedly trust in His leadership. And isn’t such trust an essential sign of love?
The beginning of an ongoing lineup of miracles in this world under Satan’s dominion—right under his evil nose—is launched when a soul recognizes the love of the heavenly Father. As the giver of a perfect, unchanging, and eternal set of life-affirming Commandments, He enlightens us in His word so that we are equipped to honor and uphold them. The resulting obedience facilitates healing and protection from the ravages of sin upon our minds, the very place where Satan wages his crafty and cruel war against righteousness.
Today, as you pray to your beloved Commander in Chief, ask for opportunities to invite others to meet Him. Don’t forget to listen for His answers! Thank Him for the grace and power He provides for our safe journey heavenward. Each instant that a heart catches sight of His amazing love is another moment that His kingdom comes to earth, quietly and powerfully taking back territory that Satan had previously claimed. Perhaps someone will detect it in your walk with the Lord, or in your eyes aglow with love for Him as you trust in His grace and power to lead you safely through this dark world.
Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end. Isaiah 9:7a