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seeking
Passing Through
The entourage of wise men who came into Jerusalem raised quite a stir as they begin to ask, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” This stirring reached as far as the king, and he also was troubled. The king was so troubled about the possibility of another king rising up that he invited the wise men to speak privately about their quest to find this king. Given the position of the star they followed and knowing the history of Jerusalem, it stood to reason the King of the Jews would be born there. However, after the visit, they continued on straight through the religious center of Jerusalem.
Matthew 2:9-10 (CSB) 9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was — the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy.
Unfortunately, too many people have stopped at the religious centers of men and have never found Jesus Messiah. Perhaps they have mistaken activity and service as the personal relationship and fellowship with God. Still there are others who have passed right through unfazed by the rituals of religion to find the Living Hope. Let me ask you, have you been held up at Jerusalem and bogged down with the heavy burden of religion? How was it the wise men didn’t fall into the religious trap at Jerusalem? They passed through the city because the One they were looking for was not there. Be like the wise men, and by faith, keep going just a little bit further beyond religion to a relationship and fellowship with the King.
Wonder Prayer
What is a wonder prayer? A wonder prayer is a sincere prayer offered up to the Father and you never see anything happen. A wonder prayer is a sincere prayer that leaves us wondering if God heard us and is going to do anything. Some prayers of faith should be followed by a step of faith. Many times we don’t take a step of faith and just expect God to do it all. There’s nothing wrong with praying and waiting, and we should do that, but in many cases, we should pray and believe God has heard and step in faith in the direction we have prayed.
Jesus said, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10
All of us have prayed and waited and never stepped out in faith. I would much rather God do everything than for me to do anything, but there are times when prayer should be followed by a step. It would be foolish to ask God for a job and never look to see who was hiring. It would be equally foolish to ask God for a job, find a company that was hiring, but never turn in a resume or application. The same thing applies spiritually. If you have been praying for God to save lost people, but you never share your faith with someone, that’s a wonder prayer. If you’ve been praying that God would change things at your home but never take steps to bring the change, you may end up disappointed in God.
Some petitions to God do not have another step of faith—prayer is the step—but many prayers are heard by God and God waits for us to step believing He has heard us. But Jesus said to pray believing and not doubting. What have you been asking of God? Is it possible God is waiting on you to take a step towards your prayer of faith? The answer to many prayers will be revealed in heaven one day, but there are many waiting for you to take the next step in faith. Don’t live your life solely offering up wonder prayers, step out!