Posted: December 8, 2021
Dear Church Family,
Note: the health protocols in place this Sabbath will be the same as last Sabbath, for more information please click here.
This week’s reflection takes its inspiration from an incredible verse in Psalms 81 which says, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open your mouth and I will fill it” (NIV). What a promise! God is good, He is love, and Jesus made it unmistakably clear in John 10:10 that He wants us to have an abundant and full life. According to Psalm 81, just open your mouth and God will fill it!
Sadly, not only have these types of promises in the Scriptures been misapplied but also, this season of giving has turned into a season of getting. Getting what we want, rather than what we need. And certainly, many of us getting more than we need. So what is Psalm 81:10 all about? I would like to suggest that it includes a general promise that can be applied in various contexts. One key to understanding this promise is considering the imagery of the mouth. Biblically speaking the mouth has two primary purposes. First, we eat with our mouths, and secondly, we speak with our mouths. Therefore, when we open our mouths God has promised to supply all our nutritional needs—and He will also put His Words in our mouth.
One of the prayers I grew up praying during mealtime included this phrase, “Dear Jesus, may this food give us health and strength in order to serve you more”. You see when God blesses us, it is always for the purpose of us blessing others. When God promises us that He will fill our mouth He will only do this IF we are faithful in blessing others.
So it’s time to reflect? Have you been faithful in blessing others? Have you been returning a faithful tithe and offering? Have you been helping and serving others with your talents? Are your prayers centred on your own needs or on the needs of others?
This Sabbath we will be concluding our sermon series on Power to Pray! And not only do I hope and pray that each of you has been inspired to pray more and to pray for God to do big things, but I want to take this opportunity to remind you that the greatest, world-changing prayers are the prayers we pray for others and specifically for God to lead people to Himself. Jesus is longing to come again and He is not willing that any person should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). May our prayers reflect this and God will give us power to pray.
If you have not had a chance to listen to the entire series on prayer, please visit our website by clicking here.
Note: those looking for an opportunity to join us for another official prayer walk this year, we will be planning one for Sabbath December 18th. Stay tuned!
Sincerely,
Pastor Royce