Promise-inspired faith

If our walk with God is to be meaningful, fruitful and joyous we must learn to diligently observe His predetermined protocol, principles, conditions and standards clearly laid out in His word. God is the most High who ‘works all things after the counsel of His own will’ (Ephesians 1:11).
This knowledge is of vital importance to those who desire to have their needs met by God. Many have needs or situations that require the intervention of God but they are uncertain about the will of God concerning their needs or situations. This uncertainty is rooted in ignorance of God’s word; for God’s word is God’s will. It is this ignorance and unbelief that ruins our relationship with God.
 If we do not know His will we will ask, believe and act contrary to His will. This explains why I believe that most of our troubles or conflicts are self-inflicted. For instance, one brother dishonours or curses his parents and expects to live long on earth. He cannot and will not because God tells us to honour our parents in order to live long.
A beauty queen marries a wrong partner and fumes over constant hostility and strife in the family. Some marriages are very difficult to stabilise because they were not meant to be in the first place.
One deeply desires to be a salesperson but finds himself doing the accountant’s job and is deeply dissatisfied. That dissatisfaction is expected; doing what you are not divinely talented for is acting out of character with who you are. You cannot act against your inner self and be fulfilled. Fulfilment is not a function of having a well-paying job but of doing what you really love.
 We lead our lives as captains of our souls and masters of our destinies. We leave the will of God completely out of our plans and transactions and we wonder why God is not moving for us. He cannot, because we are offline. He cannot be arm-twisted or forced to act against His will. He cannot adjust His will. We must shape up to it or we have no deal with Him.
Many complain that God is not answering their prayers. Others frequently request friends and pastors to pray for them as if God does not hear their own prayers.
However, this conflict of unanswered prayers and unhealthy dependence on other believers’ faith can be resolved easily. Know and understand that God never asks us to believe that He will do something for us unless He has promised to do it. The art of effective prayer is reminding God of what He has promised to do.
 The heroes of faith in the Old Testaments knew how to put their finger on God’s promises and held Him to them. David prayed in 1 Chronicles 17:23-24, “Do as thou hast said, that thy name be glorified for ever.” Can you feel the boldness, confidence, certainty and definiteness in King David’s prayer? Such a prayer that is based on God’s promise is efficacious. It will receive a positive answer from God since God cannot run back on His promise. One writer said, “There is hardly any position more utterly beautiful, strong or safe than to put a finger upon some promise of the divine word, and claim it.”
Just because you have a need does not mean God is going to meet it. T.L Osborn explained, “How am I to know that a millionaire will make me a gift of a thousand dollars unless he says that he will do so? His ability to do it would not prove his willingness. I must have his promise before I can expect such a gift from him.”
There are needs and desires for which heaven has not made provision.
 Heaven will not grant lustful and selfish desires. And heaven will not move if prior conditions are not met. Heaven will not move if there is unbelief. Get familiar with God’s promises and there will be no need for anguish, or struggle or wrestling.
 You will need to produce the promise and ask God to fulfil it for you just as you can simply present the cheque and ask for cash. If the answer does not come immediately you will not doubt or give up, but you will respond to divine delays with a steadfast, waiting faith fully persuaded that what He has promised he will fulfil.
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