Pre-condtions for Divine Responsiveness

UV1002/10,000 Pre-conditions for Divine Responsiveness Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say, “ Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression , with the pointing finger and malicious talk..” Isaiah 58 v 9 When the child Samuel heard his name being called, he responded by saying, “ Here am I.” It is a response of complete submission, humility, respect and obedience as to a master or a beloved one. It is like saying, “ I am here to respond and do whatever you have called me for.” Likewise, the sovereign almighty God who owns and established the heavens and the earth set aside His majesty and greatness humbles Himself as a little child to respond when those who are righteous by faith call Him by name. God is not nameless, anonymous, amorphous or insensitive. He hears our sighs and cries. For weeks after I survived the bomb blast that killed former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi I cried and winced with the bone -crushing pain caused by steel pellets that had embedded in my feet. The pain killers gave me only temporary relief but I decided that I will keep calling out “ Jesus, Jesus,” till He heals me and the pain is completely gone. In a few days the pain ceased, never to trouble me again. His help may not be instant but it is certain to come and it will be effective like the Balm of Gilead. It will bring healing and deliverance to us and glory or the attribution of greatness to God. Our prayer life needs to be backed by empathy and compassion for the oppressed. Just as Jesus lifted our yoke of oppression, spiritual and eternal, we need to through both our prayers and our practical efforts lighten the loads on the backs of people around us. Like spiritual watchmen, we should identify the different types of oppression and suffering that is currently happening in the world around us. We need to carry these burdens to the Lord and carry the burdens of the Lord to the world. We need to manifest in real terms a God-like heart of compassion for people, looking far beyond our own immediate concerns and needs. This is the meaning of the parable of Jesus where He talks about different categories of people who claim to have served Him. Jesus tells them, “ I do not know you. Go away! Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren that you do unto me.” Heaven will appear bronzen and our prayers will bounce back without an answer if we lead double lives. The Lord will not be fooled by our double lives, our double mindedness or our forked tongues. Nor will He be impressed by our attempts to look better ourselves by attributing blame to others, or by our judging or criticising others. We need to train and discipline our speech so that we do not speak maliciously, loosely or thoughtlessly. We need to think and talk. The word “ THINK” gives us some guidelines and yardstick to measure the quality of our spoken words, “ Is it True? Is it Helpful, healthy or harmful? Is it Necessary and nicely put? Is it Kind?” This uni-verse reveals the truth that while we cannot win salvation or eternal life by our good deeds and good words, for the Lord to be pleased with us, in order for Him to reward us and to hear our prayers, our lifestyle and speechstyle of righteousness does count. Prateep v Philip