His Good Pleasure

September 16

Perhaps the greatest enemy of the purposes of our God is the people who profess to know His name! That’s a very disconcerting thought. As we observe the evil machinations around us of governments and ideologies, it is difficult to fathom our own complicity in the problems we see on every hand.

Consider the disciples’ response in Matthew 14:26-27 when Jesus appeared to them walking on the water in the midst of a storm, “It is a ghost! They said and cried out in fear. Immediately, Jesus spoke to them, ‘Have courage. It is I. Be not afraid.’”

Or the prayers of the faithful in the behalf of Peter who’d been imprisoned and scheduled for execution because of his preaching of the risen Christ (Acts 12:1-16). Much fervent supplication had been made for Peter’s release. An angel came to him in prison and miraculously set him free. But the believers who had gathered to pray for his release thought they saw a ghost when he came to them! How like them we are! We pray. We want to see Jesus move in our behalf in the midst of our dilemma.

And when He does, we cannot believe it! Does this negativity undo faith? The Word says it does. May we remind ourselves when we pray that we are before the Throne of Mercy and Grace, that our God is good and it is His stated purpose to hear and answer when we supplicate Him in the behalf of our needs. May we allow our doubt to be overcome by confidence in Jesus, for HE is faithful and it is His good pleasure to give us the victory!