EXALTING THE OMNIPOTENT IN PRAYER

Most of us; if not all of us have been faced with situations which brings us to our knees figuratively or realistically; praying for something to happen or cease from happening. If we get what we were praying and hoping for; we soon forget how desperate we were and may never even remember that we prayed for it in the first place. It is not unusual for us to forget that it was God who answered our prayer. Instead we may lavish all the praise and glory on the person who came to our rescue or on ourselves for something we believe we did to change the situation. It serves us well to remember that whether we succeed or fail: “The Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth” and it is because of His omnipotence why our foes, whatever or whoever they may be, are not able to destroy us. The strength of His love, grace and mercy is comes from His personhood as God Almighty; the absolute and universal Sovereign. The Lord God OMNIPOTENT reigns with absolute Power. He is the only one with such distinction. He is able to keep us in all situation and circumstance, in life and in death. We may well learn from Hannah the barren wife of Elkanah; who suffered much humility at the instance of Elkanah’s other wife Peninnah who had borne her husband children while Hannah was barren. Hannah entreated the Lord for a man child and having received that child; gave him back to the Lord as she had promised in her prayer. She was no satisfied with honoring her vow by dedicating the child to the service of the Lord; but took time out to praise God and exalt His Omnipotence in prayer saying: “My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed” (1 Samuel 2:1-10)

That which we receive by prayer we do put to the best use when we dedicate it back to God, as Hannah dedicated her son Samuel. The gift came from God, so give it back to God and watch how he uses it to glorify himself and bring you joy unspeakable. Prayer brought it, gratitude sang over it, grace sanctified it, let devotion consecrate it and with humility receive and enjoy it. You have a special occasion for saying: "Of Thine own oh Lord, I have given back to Thee”; even as you recount the Excellency of His absolute Sovereignty; EXALTING THE OMNIPOTENT IN PRAYER, that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man. He who is Almighty shall give strength to his children and exalt the horn of his anointed. Love the Lord and be strong and very courageous. I love you with the LOVE of the Lord. Be blessed.

W. Bennett