Monday, June 25, 2012

A FORTNIGHT OF PRAYER

DAY 5
PRIDE GOETH BEFORE THE FALL. LET IT GO


"O LORD, the God of Israel, You are just, for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is today. Behold, we are before you in our guilt, for none can stand before you because of this.” (Ezra 9:15 ESV)

While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly. (Ezra 10:1 ESV)


The concepts of Sin, Repentance, Judgment and accountability are difficult for most to grasp in this Age of Cheap Grace. So when a man like me speaks directly, in context and under inspiration of the Scriptures, many feathers are going to be ruffled from all levels of the spectrum. Because the Western church has compromised so much on sin, sex and Satan - having been influenced by the Culture (instead of the other way around), a New Testament prophetic proclamation based on the Full Counsel will offend.


"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). Jesus said many will hate us because of Him, but "fear not, because they hated Me first". The Remnant of Israel was very small, who followed Ezra and Nehemiah back to Jerusalem to accomplish the work of the Lord. While they were the Chosen People, they soon realize, unlike us in western Christianity, that they were unworthy to stand before the Lord.


Why do we, as a free people, have such a problem with realizing our totally depravity before God? Why do we, as a supposed Bride of Christ, not realize we are more in need of the Savior now than ever before? We need the Savior's Hand so much that we should be weeping bitterly like the men, women and children of Israel in Ezra 10:1. We do not humble ourselves, because of Pride! We have Pride in our comfortable surroundings. We have pride in our fancy churches and electronic toys. We have pride in our various programs, which seem to work on the surface....and on and on....


Father God, in Jesus' Name, I confess my part in this vile offense of Pride which preceded the Fall of Man in the Garden, and is now a stumbling block to a true and powerful move of God in these last days. I acknowledge thinking more of myself and less of You, when it should have been the other way around. Because of that, I stand before You guilty of all You have against me. You have reminded me time and time again that You expect me to walk humbly before You, but I chose to let the flesh think more of who I am, rather than Whose I am.

So Lord, I come to You now, a repentant sinner, in light of all we have confessed, repented of and written in these past 5 days of Fervent prayer and intercession, and seek forgiveness like the children of Israel did in the verses above. Father, cover me now and help me to walk in that anointed path that You have laid out for me, and those who are like me. 

Help me to walk in Your Power and not mine.
Help me to walk in the Word and not the thoughts in my head. 
Help me to walk in confidence and speak with loving boldness. 
Help me to walk with expectation of expiration, which makes time more valuable. Help me to walk in Your Light and do what is right, in Jesus' Holy and Most Precious Name, I pray, amen and amen.


(image by google)


No comments: