Paul's request for prayer

"...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints---and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." [Eph 6:18-20]

The last piece in the Christian's armor is this, it is his prayer. This is spiritual readiness. It is the difference between an armed Christian and one who is both armed and dangerous. Prayer is the secret weapon, the discipline that enables him to wield his sword effectively to cut down the enemy and deliver the captives.

I know in my heart that this alone is the reason I have not prevailed in that boldness for which Paul asks prayer. I receive not because I have asked not, nor asked others to join me in the asking. So for the last six years, while wanting to go out boldly to speak the mystery of the gospel, I have not done so. It should not be surprising in the least. But it is very saddening, that after so long as a Christian, I am still so undisciplined. When I should be a dangerous adversary to the devil, I am a patsy.

How should I ever grow up? Simply by doing as Paul says, "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints". There is nothing I lack, really, but this. Yet it is the substance of what a soldier and a man is, namely his boldness.

Lord, please embolden me, as you alone can do, giving, granting boldness to open my mouth to all people everywhere regarding the mystery of the gospel. Please make me as Proverbs 28:1 says, "the righteous are as bold as a lion". For to date, I am like the wicked, who flee when no one pursues. Gracious Creator, create in me a clean heart and a steadfast spirit, that is ready and empowered to do your will, speak your truth, and claim those for whom You died, at UVa, in my neighborhood, and everywhere you lead me, as well as to my family and friends. IJNA

The Fear of Isaac

This expression, the Fear of Isaac, appears in Genesis 31 vv.42 and 53. As Jacob is justifying himself to Laban, after he has stolen away with Laban's daughters and grand-children without telling him he was leaving, he says,

"Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night."

Later he swears an oath "by the Fear of his father Isaac." [53]

What does he mean here? "The Fear" can only refer to the God of Isaac. But it has so much meaning! Fear of God, reverence, awe, godliness, also describes the characteristic attitude of his father Isaac. This fear made Isaac a man who could marry a woman he had never met based on the testimony of his father's servant. He could live in a foreign land, with enemies all around him confiscating his wells, each time moving on and simply trusting God to provide, and digging another. At the end of this struggle with his neighbors, Isaac was receiving kings at his tent with their hats in their hands.

My study this week is from Eph 5:21 - 6:9. This passage begins with,

Submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. It won't get me a Ph.D. or a bigger salary or any other worldly recognition. But it made Isaac a truly great man. The fear of God teaches us to submit to God and to one another. The fear of God enables us to "do good to those who hate us", like Isaac. This submission, contrary to appearances, raises us above others spiritually. The fear of God makes us like Jesus, and is the key attitude to the imitation of Christ. I believe it is also the secret of true happiness, as it was the basic attitude of Adam and Eve before the Fall. It is what enables a wife to submit to her husband, husbands to love their wives, children to obey their parents, and employers and employees, even slaves, to be happy and prosperous. [Eph 5:21-6:9]

Submit is a dirty word to most Americans. But, Father, help me to learn this attitude of Christ, who "made himself of no reputation". [Phil 2:7] Lord, I want to "become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation". I want to "shine like the stars" with your light. Please take me and change me today, more like Jesus, in submission to You, God, and to others in the fear of God.