In addition to powerless prayers, there follows another perversion once we recognize God has power: Asking for our benefit, liking asking God for a favor.
Zedekiah was Judah’s puppet king when Nebuchadnezzar attacked. Zedekiah called Jeremiah and asked for prayer: “Perhaps the Lord will perform wonders for us ...”
Such an arrogant assumption by a corrupt king demonstrates his complete lack of knowledge of the Lord, and complete concern for himself, not God. God honors those who seek and obey Him, who return to Him. God helps/rescues the oppressed when they cry out to Him.
But He never does this, He never acts, for us. God is not a puppet who performs as directed by his master when someone pulls his strings. He is the Lord God, the exalted Ruler, who reigns in truth.
There is no brokenness, no repentance in Zedekiah’s inquiry, only an admission of inconvenience - we are under attack. There is no recognition that the attack is the result of past and present sins, corrupted, godless kings who encourage the priests and people to forsake the Lord, and who ignore the needs of the people, who oppress the people.
The Lord acts for the sake of His own Name, and His own glory to protect His reputation. Contrast Zedekiah’s inquiry with those of David, Hezekiah, Josiah, and Jehoshaphat, and the prophet's words to Asa . All expressed dependence upon God, humility. Many expressed remorse and repentance of sins of people (and selves). Some expressed shock over blasphemies spoken by enemies. They requested God to work for the sake of His own great Name, not for themselves.
And God answered them with compassion, deliverance, and victory.
Forgive us, Lord, when we look only to our own interests, and fail to recognize Your glory and purpose.
May, 2009
Jeremiah 21
Many examples of leaders oppressing people: Psalm 82, 24:11, Ezekiel 34, et al.
God works for His glory, themes in Isaiah 40-66, and Ezekiel
Humble prayers:
David - 1 Samuel 17:44-47
Hezekiah - Isaiah 37:4-6
Josiah - 2 Kings 22:13-20
Jehoshaphat - 2 Chronicles 20:5-12;
Asa -2 Chronicles 15
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