The Holiday Season

We are not unmindful that this issue covers two holidays of great import to the Christian-Thanksgiving and Christmas. In times past considerable space has been devoted to seasonal matters relevant to these two events. This issue is an exception, but space for a special devotional Thanksgiving poem has been made on the back cover.

As Israel of old celebrated the bounties of their harvest time with the feast of Tabernacles, so it is fitting that we take time, not just annually but daily, to reflect upon the Lord's bounties and to show our appreciation, not just by word of mouth but by the fruitage of our lives.

Likewise, as the world around joins in honoring the birth of Jesus, so may we each commemorate that event by yielding ourselves to him and striving to copy his perfect character.

"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."--2 Corinthians 5:14, 15

Study and Prayer

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
-- James 5:16

By Frances Earl

The purpose of this study is to review some of the promises made by God to his people, to draw to the reader's attention the necessity for a continuing prayer life, and to point out that one must maintain a personal relationship with our heavenly Father if desired results are to be achieved. Promise and prayer are so deeply intertwined in the Christian's walk that attention must always be directed toward a closer walk with God, being de­voted to his plans and purposes.

Prayers of Old Testament Servants

First there was Adam; he had a close relationship with his Creator until it was severed by his disobe­dience (Gen. 3:8). Noah did all that God instructed him to do and was saved from the deluge (Gen. 8:20). Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had fel­lowship with God, in spite of their weaknesses and short-comings. The faithfulness of Joseph and Moses was retold through the cen­turies (Heb. 11). Even after David's grievous actions, when he repented, he was forgiven.

When Hezekiah was being threatened by the invasion of the Assyrian army, at first he paid the tribute demanded by Sennacherib's messengers; but after Sennacherib sent a message to the people, tell­ing them not to listen to Hezekiah when he told them that the "Lord will deliver us," he went to the LORD in prayer. "O Lord God of Israel . . . thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. Lord, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, Lord, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God ... .Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou only" (2 Kings 19).

Hezekiah is acknowledging God as being the only one to whom he can turn in his time of need. He re­membered that God was the source of power in all the earth, not Sen­nacherib. God heard Hezekiah's prayer and sent him an answer: "That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assy­ria I have heard . . . . He shall not come into this city . . . . By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, . . . For I will de­fend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake" (2 Kings 19:20, 32, 33, 34).

How did all of those who served God's purposes communicate with him; their contact was through prayer. And so it has been with all those to whom God has spoken. Those who would serve God learned the necessity for keeping a close relationship with God. They learned through their failures that having the ability to accomplish the tasks given them was completely dependent upon their strength and guidance through prayer. We have the notable prayers of Jacob, Moses, Job, David, Solomon, Eli­jah, Jeremiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah recorded as examples.

The Pattern of Prayer

A careful study of the scriptures shows that Jesus set the example for his disciples; he was always in communication with his Father im­mediately before events of major importance occurred. Possibly the disciple who requested our Lord to teach him to pray in Luke 11:1 had made such an observation. But there are requirements; before prayers may be heard and an­swered, the proper relationship must exist with the Father: "a righteous" relationship. And only God may make that determination.

Ingredients of Effectual Prayer

Scriptures teach us that in addi­tion to having a right relationship with the heavenly Father the one offering prayer must believe and have faith. "Without faith it is im­possible to please him [God]; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, . . . . prepared an ark to the saving of his house; . . . and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith (Heb. 11:6,7). By faith Abra­ham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses all prayed to God and received the strength necessary for their tasks.

Faith may be evidenced in tasks, but it may also be expressed in "waiting on the Lord" (Ps. 27:14). If we believe, then we have faith that our prayer will be answered and that gives us the patience to wait; we will be positive that an answer will come according to God's will. ". . . wait, I say, on the Lord."

At times more miracles occur in answer to prayer than at other times. This is because of unbelief. A doubt is evidence of unbelief-a "what if' may be indicative of un­belief. "And all things, whatsoever ye may ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive" (Matt. 21:22). "Ac­cording to your faith be it unto you" (Matt. 9:29). The cardinal rules for prayers of request are be­lieving that one will receive an answer and one must know why he believes he will receive an answer.

Texts of Promise

In Proverbs 10 we are told that the "desire of the righteous shall be granted" (v. 24). Even before Jesus came the righteous people of God were given promises that would help them expect answers to their petitions. God wants us to receive all that he has in store for us. Only our lack of belief hinders this. "Ask, and it shall be given you; Seek, and ye shall find; Knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matt. 7:7, 8). Remember, the answer is there for the asking, but you must first ask believing that whatsoever you ask of the heavenly Father will be granted unto you according to his will. "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he will also hear their cry . . . ." (Ps. 145:18, 19).

We have these texts of promise, but do we claim them? Do we believe that these promises were for us as well? Do we think of ourselves as being unworthy and so they must be for someone else who has made a better covenant of sacrifice? "No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Ps. 84:11, 12). That could not possibly mean me, one might say to himself. How easily one might believe the subterfuge of the Adversary. But consider these words: "Delight thyself also in the LORD. He shall give the desires of thine heart" (Ps. 37:4).

Praying "Amiss"

"Ye lust, and have not; ye kill, . . . and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (James 4:2, 3). Praying amiss is the result of not knowing how to ask and what to ask for. To know how to pray and for what to ask one must study the Word of God. Solomon prayed that he might have wisdom and the Lord granted his plea and said: "Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of throe enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; .... And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honor: And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, . . then I will lengthen thy days" (I Kings 3:11, 12, 13, 14).

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God . . . and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33) is another scripture that gives a similar lesson. Here we find instruction that will help us to avoid praying amiss. What God is saying is that he will give us every single thing we can find in the Bible. If we can find it and ask for it, he will give it to us. There are so many gifts we could receive if we only knew how to ask.

So the relationship between study and prayer is this: If you find one verse dear to you because it is something you . want, start praying about it. As we find (seek and ye shall find), ask (ask and it shall be given unto you), and receive (knock and it shall be opened unto you), we become much more intense and careful: careful because we realize the power of our prayer and intense because we see the relationship between study and prayer.

Remember Hezekiah; let us do the same. Take the Book, find the promise; show it to the Lord. Hezekiah showed God the letter from Sennacherib. God knew what was in the letter-before it was written he knew-but this act of Hezekiah demonstrated real faith, a

real honesty, a real humility before          the Lord. He was ac­knowledging that what God had promised to   do, he would do; he was claiming that promise.

Study and prayer enhance each other so much that one would suggest that it be one subject -- study prayer. Prayer brings the soul into the presence of the Lord and prepares the way for divine blessings and superlative joy. May we continue to pray for "thy kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven" with the full assurance that "thy will [will] be done."

The Privilege And Power Of Prayer

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. --Phil. 4:6

Condensed from a lesson by Irwin Doran

During the Jewish dispensation only the Jews had the privilege of approaching God in prayer. Today, the privilege of approaching God in prayer belongs to the church class, the members of the body of Christ. Because of imperfect minds, understanding the power, as well as the privilege of prayer, may be limited. However, with the blessing of the holy spirit, understanding and appreciating the power and privilege of prayer to some degree is possible.

Trust And Abide

We are trusting in the promises of God. He will accomplish his divine purpose in us and direct our steps. "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." (Psa. 34:7).

He will accomplish his divine purpose in us, if we abide in Him and His word abides in us and we are faithful and obedient. As new creatures: "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not us (2 Cor. 4:7).

We are instructed to pray without ceasing, or be in a prayerful attitude at all times. We look to God in every perplexity and experience.

A Consideration Of God

The audience of God and communion with him is a great and awesome privilege. This is a wonderful condescension that he regards our low estate. We might more fully understand how great this condescension is by considering the greatness of our heavenly Father.

For example, God’s glory covers the heavens and his kingdom rules the universe. He is without beginning and without end. God is immortal and self existing. He dwells in the light that no man can approach. No man has seen nor can see God. The heavens declare God’s glory and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Nothing can be hid from him because he never slumbers or sleeps. No one can fathom His wisdom or understand his ways. God’s mighty intellect grasps with ease the immensity and the minutiae of all the interests of his great domain.

God Loves Us

We are the creatures of his hand—fearfully and wonderfully made. We are the subjects of God’s love and care. He loved us while we were yet sinners and he made provision at great cost for our redemption, restitution and subsequent eternal glory. Because he loves us, he extends to us the favor of coming to him as children as to a father. Our invitation to commune with such a great and powerful god is a wonderful privilege, and certainly an act of condescension of our loving and Almighty Heavenly Father.

Reverence

While he is a loving God, he is to be feared (reverenced) and awed. We are never to assume an equality to Him in our prayer relationship. We are to come into God’s presence with decorum and ceremony commanded by His glorious person and office. "For He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgement".( Job. 9:32).

Approaching God

In our present society we would not walk into the office of a doctor or dentist without an appointment. Nor would we walk into the office of a city mayor, a senator, or the President of the United States without following proper regulations.

Jesus offered some wise instruction regarding the proper way to approach our Heavenly Father. "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

Rules And Regulations

Jesus gave us an illustration of "properness" in what is referred to as the Lord’s prayer. Please review Matt. 6:9-13. Jesus is laying down the rules and regulations for the attitude we should have when we approach God who has given us such a great privilege.

Believers are reinstated to the original position as sons of God. We may confidently address God as our Father. When we hallow his name we show our adoration and reverence for his glorious character and attributes. We sympathize with God’s revealed plan for a coming kingdom of righteousness as we acknowledge his kingdom to come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In simple language, we show our dependence upon God for our daily needs and we show our childlike confidence in the Father. We trust that he will supply our needs. We express our desire to be protected by God against the wily adversary when we pray to not be led into temptation.

This prayer, provided by Jesus, gives us the principles of mind and heart required to properly address the throne of heavenly grace. An acceptable prayer must show faith, reverence, esteem and sympathy for the divine plan, submission and childlike dependence, acknowledgement of sins, desire for forgiveness, and a forgiving disposition which craves divine guidance and protection.

Instant In Prayer

God knows the necessity of communion for a healthy spiritual life. He knows that in sincerity of consecration, we will experience "tempest tossed trials" and need his comfort and care. According to the scriptures we are assured of an open invitation to prayer to our Heavenly Father.

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).

"If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:23).

"For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers" (1 Peter 3:12).

"That men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1).

"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17).

Lack Of Reverence

As we consider these encouragements to pray to our Father in heaven, we are again reminded of the reverential fear required. Possibly, this essential element lacked, causing Adam and Eve to be distracted by Satan. Also, calamities fell upon Lot, Ishmael, and Esau. However, a sincere reverential attitude brought blessings to Noah, Abraham, and Isaac. In view of these examples, let us frequently and with the "fear" of God, approach His merciful throne.

"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him" (Psa. 103:13, 17).

Intimate Prayer

With these loving encouragements to approach our heavenly Father, we can pray to him in the midst of our cares and perplexities of the day. He is available instantly for us. We are also instructed to take time for intimate fellowship with him. The scriptures assure us that we can ask for wisdom, strength, fortitude, comfort, etc. not only for ourselves, but for others, also.

"When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly"( Matt. 6:6).

Answer To Prayer

We have a responsibility to watch for the answers to our prayers. We will begin to see the course of his providences shaping events and circumstances for our good or the good of others. We know that he will direct our paths for the spiritual good of the new creature.

Persistency In Prayer

Jesus gave us the parable of the importune widow (Luke 18:1-5) to assure us of always approaching the throne of grace, even with the smaller matters of life. Importunity conveys the thought of asking for a thing urgently and persistently. Like the widow, in determination we can show our earnest desires in prayer. We should not faint from lack of faith or zeal if the answer is delayed.

"And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily" (Luke 18:7,8).

"And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me" (Gen. 32:24, 26).

Paul shows an example of importunity when he besought the Lord in prayer three times to take away the thorn in his flesh. He continued until he received assurance that God’s grace was sufficient for him (2 Cor. 12:7-10).

Jesus’ Example

The scriptures reveal Jesus’ prayer habits and give us a marvelous example to follow.

'And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God" (Luke 6:12).

"And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone" (Matt. 14:23).

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed" (Mark 1:35).

"And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed" (Luke 5:16).

Proper Prayers

The times in which we live may sometimes cause complications and circumstances that lead us to the throne of grace. For example, when a mother’s counsel and a father’s wisdom seem inadequate to guide the wayward course of an impetuous youth, invoking God’s wisdom and guidance in prayer is very appropriate.

Maybe the perplexities of the business world are an annoyance or distraction from our spiritual goals. Calling upon the Lord to help us apply the scriptures and not be overcharged with the cares of this life is our prayer privilege.

Both extremes of wealth and poverty can interfere with our peace of mind and communion with God. The scriptures teach us not to be slothful in business and to provide things decent and honest. However, we are encouraged to seek God’s wisdom and direction to show us how to manage our temporal affairs.

Sweet Communion

Through all our earthly trials and experiences, let us sweeten our days and comfort our nights through communion with our Father in heaven. He can ease our burdens and lighten our cares. Such is the will of God, that we avail ourselves of the privilege and power of prayer.

Thanksgiving With Prayer
And Supplication

The following Scriptures have been compiled by Daniel Toole: R5379

Take Time To Pray

For my love they are my adversaries; but I give myself unto prayer.—Psalm 109:4.

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.—Acts 6:4.

He went out into a mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God.—Luke 6:12.

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven and thou upon earth.—Ecclesiastes 5:2.

Pray In Secret

Thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.—Matthew 6:6.

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray; and when the even was come he was there alone.—Matthew 14:23.

Pray In God’s Presence

Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.—James 4:8.

Have faith in God. What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them.—Mark 11:22, 24.

O. Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might so that none is able to withstand thee?—2 Chronicles. 20:6.

As A Child Of A Father

If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish will he for a fish give him a serpent? of if he shall ask an egg will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him?—Luke 11:11-13.

Answer Certain

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for everyone that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.—Matthew 7:7,8.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.—James 1:5.

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.—John 14:13.

Pray Having Faith In God

And Jesus answering saith unto them, "Have faith in God."—Mark 11:22.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.—1 John 5:14,15.

And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them; for they cried to God in the battle and he was entreated of them because they put their trust in him.—1 Chronicles 5:20.

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.—1 John 3:21, 22.

Having, therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.—Hebrews 10:19, 20.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering; for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.—James 1:6, 7.

Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye shall receive them, and ye shall have them.—Mark 11:24.

Pray Being Free From Condemnation

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again unto the Lord. Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud that our prayer should not pass through.—Lamentations 3:40, 44.

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me.—Psalm 66:16-18.

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.—1 Peter 3:7.

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God, and whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.—1 John 3:20-22.

With The Whole Heart

I cried with my whole heart, hear me, O Lord; I will keep thy statutes.—Psalm 119:145.

Thou hast given him his heart’s desire and hast not withholden the request of his lips.—Psalm 21:2.

Trusting God’s Faithfulness

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promised.—Hebrews 10:23.

Know, therefore, that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.—Deuteronomy 7:9.

For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him...God is not a man that he should lie; neither the son of man that he should repent; hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?—Numbers 23:9,19.

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.—Hebrews 11:11.

Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.—Nehemiah 9:23.

Pray Trusting God’s Power

Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.—Genesis 18:14.

Ah, Lord God, behold thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched-out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.—Jeremiah 32:17.

For with God nothing shall be impossible.—Luke 1:37.

And Asa cried unto the Lord his God and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help whether with many or with them that have no power; help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.—2 Chronicles 14:11.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.—Ephesians 3:20.

Trusting In God’s Love And Mercy

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.—Psalm 51:1.

O my God, incline thine ear and hear; open thine eyes and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name; for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness, but for thy great mercies.—Daniel 9:18.

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will he teach sinners in the way...Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving-kindnesses, for they have been ever of old.—Psalm 25:8,6.

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; save me for thy mercies’ sake.—Psalm 31:16.

Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.—Psalm 119:76.

And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb; He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.—Romans 4:19-21.

Pray Pleading Our Need

Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.—Psalm 22:11.

Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low; deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.—Psalm 142:6.

For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor, also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their souls from deceit and violence; and precious shall their blood be in his sight.—Psalm 72:12-14.

Truly my soul waiteth upon God; from him cometh my salvation...He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved...My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.—Psalm 62:1,2,5.

Pray Pleading God’s Glory

And Moses said unto the Lord, "Then the Egyptians shall hear it (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them); and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land; for they have heard that thou, Lord, art among this people, that thou, Lord, art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying, Because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness."—Numbers 14:13-16.

O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth; and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?—Joshua 7:8,9.

And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice that Elijah the Prophet came near and said: Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant and that I have done all these things at thy word. ...Hear me, O Lord, hear me; that these people may know that thou art the Lord God and that thou hast turned their heart back again.—I Kings 18:36,37.

For thou art my rock and my fortress! Therefore for thy name’s sake lead me and guide me.—Psalm 31:3.

Now, therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake. O my God, incline thine ear and hear; open thine eyes and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name; for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness, but for thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God; for thy people and thy city are called by thy name.—Daniel. 9:17-19.

Pray Pleading God’s Justice

That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked; and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee; shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?—Genesis 18:25.

In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in thy righteousness.—Psalm 31:1.

Pray Pleading Our Righteousness

I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.—2 Kings 20:3.

Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.—Nehemiah 5:19.

And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah.—Nehemiah 13:4.

Pray Perseveringly

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? and he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? of if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him?—Luke 11:5-13.

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man; and there was a widow in that city, and she came unto him saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not, for awhile; but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?—Luke 18:1-8.

I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song into my mouth, even praise unto our God; many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.—Psalm 40:1-3.

And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee; I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth which thou hast shown unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children. And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.—Genesis 32:9-12.

And it came to pass when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah, his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and behold, he stood by the camels at the well.—Genesis 24:30.

He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God; yea he had power over the angel and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us; even the Lord God of hosts: the Lord is his memorial, therefore turn thou to thy God; keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.—Hosea 12:3-6.

Pray With Pure Motives

Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.—James 4:3.

Pray With Thanksgiving

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.—Colossians 4:2.

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.—Philippians 4:6.

By him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually; that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.—Hebrews 13:15.

I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.—Psalm 116:17.

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.—Psalm 69:30,31.

Stir Yourself To Prayer

And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee; for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.—Isaiah 64:7.

Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.—Isaiah 27:5.

Wherefore, I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee, by the putting on of my hands.—2 Timothy 1:6.

Let Your Faith Grow Strong By Meditation Upon The Promises

The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation, chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning work to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved. Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in; that bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown; yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth; and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble. To whom, then, would ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, my way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.—Isaiah 40:19-31.

And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.—Psalm 50:15.

The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.—Psalm 34:15-17.

For Thou, Lord, art good and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.—Psalm 86:5.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works.—Psalm 145:17.

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.—Romans 10:12.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.—James 1:5.

Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.—Hebrews 4:16.

And I say unto you, Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.—Luke 11:9,10.

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.—John 14:13.

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name; ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.—John 16:24.

Encouraged And Instructed By Prayers Of The Saints

Moses for help to judge Israel.—Numbers 11:11-15.

Moses for Israel’s forgiveness.—Exodus 32:11-13.

Moses for Miriam.—Numbers 12:13.

Moses for murmurers.—Numbers 14:13-19.

Moses for Pharaoh.—Exodus 8:12, 13, 30, 31; 9:33.

Moses in the case of fiery serpents.—Numbers 21:7, 8.

Moses for Aaron.—Deuteronomy 9:20.

Samuel for Israel.—1 Sam. 7:5-10.

Elijah for the widow’s son.—1 Kings 17:20-23.

Hezekiah against the king of Assyria.—2 Kings 19:15-20,32-37.

Hannah for a son.—1 Samuel 1:9-11, 27.

The prayer of Abraham—Genesis 18:23-33; 20:17.

Lot’s prayer.—Genesis 19:17-22, 29.

Isaac’s prayer.—Genesis 25:21.

Jehoahaz for Israel.—2 Kings 13:4, 5.

Asa’s prayer.—2 Chronicles 14:11,12.

Jehoshaphat’s prayer.—2 Chronicles 20:1-24,26.

Manasseh’s prayer.—2 Chronicles. 33:1-13.

Job for his friends.—Job 42:7-10.

Ezra’s prayer.—Ezra 8:21-13,31. Chaps. 9; 10:1-19.

Nehemiah’s prayer.—Nehehiam Chaps. 1; 2:1-8.

David’s.—Psalm 18:6; 28:6,7; 31:22; 34:1-10; 118:5; 116:1,2; 138:3.

Paul and Silas.—Acts 16:25,26.

Manoah’s.—Judges 13:8,9.

See Psalms 62:1-5; 145:15; James 1:17.

Prayer a necessity.—Luke 21:36; 1 Peter 4:7; Ephesians 6:18.

"Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding."—2 Tim. 2:7.

When prayer delights thee least,
Then learn to say,
Now is the greatest need
That I should pray.
—See Romans 10:12.

The Prayer of Jabez

And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.—1 Chronicles 4:9, 10

By Carl Hagensick

The brief history of Jabez is dropped into the genealogy of Judah by the ancient Hebrew archivist. Frequently these short cameo appearances by seemingly unknowns reveal deeper insights into the word of God. We know virtually nothing about Jabez except what appears in these two verses, yet they reveal aspects of prayer and God’s character seldom examined.

The Birth of Jabez

All we know about the birth of Jabez is that he is from the tribe of Judah and that his mother named him because his mother "bare him in [her] sorrow." The Hebrew word here translated "sorrow" is not the usual word for this concept. In fact it is only used three times in the Old Testament, here and in Psa. 139:24 and Isa. 14:3. The Psalm reference reads: "And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Professor James Strong gives as the definition: "an idol (as fashioned); also pain (bodily or mental.)" Cognate words are translated "idol" in Isa. 48:5 and Jer. 22:28. The thought therefore seems to be that of wickedness, especially connected with an idol; and, secondarily, the pain or guilt that comes from such an experience. Since the pain, or guilt, is associated with his mother’s birthing experience we may reasonably speculate that the pain was caused by the circumstances associated with his birth, perhaps illegitimacy. Analyzing his three requests this seems further borne out.

The first blessing he requests is the enlargement of his coasts. If we were illegitimate he would have no claim to an inheritance but would be dependent on his father’s generosity for sustenance. (Note Gen. 25:6 for a parallel example.)

The second request was that the Lord’s hand would be with him. If he was not a legal child he had no claims to protection under the law. Therefore this plea is also especially meaningful under such circumstances.

But it is the third request that seems to specially revert back to the circumstances of his birth: "that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!" The word "grieve" here is directly related to the word "pain" in the preceding verse which described the circumstances of his birth. The logical deduction is that he wished to avoid the pain and grief of guilt which his mother experienced over his birth.

More Honorable

Whatever the circumstances that attended his birth, they evidently did not dictate the course of his life. Rising above the past, he gained a reputation for being "more honorable than his brethren." We are not informed as to the acts which demostrated this honorableness. They may have been acts of courage, or of simple honesty in everyday dealings, but they yield a sweet perfume wherever his name is mentioned.

Only too frequently do the instances of our past lives affect the course of the future. It is frequently said, "nothing can change the past." The Bible paints a different picture. Sincere repentance and conversion if we are the erring one, and forgiveness if we are the one sinned against, both have the power to alter our perception of the past. Thereby they also change the direction of our future.

It was the honorableness, in the case of Jabez, which brought about the favorable answer to his prayer. The same is true with us. Our course of conduct in life has a definite bearing on the answer to our prayers.

Enlargement

While the circumstances of Jabez’ birth may have made his inheritance questionable, it was perfectly proper for him to beseech an inheritance. Supported by the body language of a "more honorable" lifestyle than his peers, his request was granted.

So it is with mankind. Because they were born under a death penalty they have no right to claiming sonship with God. Yet those who seek it (Rom. 2:7) and back up their prayer with repentance, conversion and a "more honorable" life may receive "adoption as sons" whereby they may call God "Abba, Father" (Gal. 4:5, 6). Now, instead of receiving the opportunity for eternal life in the Millennium as a "gift," they, as sons, may lay claim to an inheritance, "the inheritance of the saints in light" (Col. 1:12), "joint-heirs with Christ" (Rom. 8:17).

Prayers for enlargement may include much more than larger borders. As the Christian progresses he needs growth in many lines. ENLARGED HEARTS: "O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged."—2 Corinthians 6:11-13

A large heart is an open heart, an honest one. As Paul had opened his heart to the Corinthians and beseeched that they open theirs to him, so every Christian should pray for an enlarged heart, one that communicates freely and honestly with all.

"I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart."—Psalm 119:32

ENLARGED VISION: "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."—Proverbs 29:18

Each of our journeys toward the Lord began with a vision. We saw an ideal in Christ we could find no where else. We saw a beauty to his plan that showed a breadth of love in his character. We desired to become more and more like him. As we progress in the ways of Christ we need to constantly expand that vision. The more we study his word to find the treasures hidden there the more we will react as the poet, "and still new beauties do I see, and still increasing light."

ENLARGED SCOPE OF ACTIVITY: "Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds."—Luke 19:24

As the most industrious servant in the parable of the pounds was given the stewardship of his more idle peer, so each faithful steward of the Lord is rewarded with further responsibilities. To successfully pray for increased service the Christian must accompany that request by zealously fulfilling then privileges he already has. "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much" (Luke 16:10).

Divine Guidance

The second request of Jabez was "that thine hand might be with me." As aliens in a strange land, how we need the guiding power of Jehovah in our lives. Knowing not what he expects from us, how earnestly we must pray for a revelation of his will for our lives. The entrance into the Christian walk is with the same commitment made by his Lord and head, "I delight to do thy will, O my God" (Psa. 40:8). It becomes tempting afterwards to spend all our time deciding what the Lord’s will should be for us instead of seeking his guidance, "that thine hand might be with me."

That nobility of heart and life which commended Jabez to his God will also secure for the earnest Christian the desired guidance and protection. These go hand in hand. The more we follow his guiding direction the more we are assured of his constant protection. As we grow in the ways of Christ and in the paths of prayer our assurance of his guiding and protecting hand leads to the confidence which says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose". (Rom. 8:28)

Kept from Evil

How reminiscent is the last part of Jabez’ prayer, "that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me," to the conclusion of the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples to pray, "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matt. 6:13).

The word translated "evil" in the case of Jabez is the Hebrew ra, a very general word for bad experiences, whether caused by a moral lapse or not, as in the case of calamities. The word translated "grieve" is, however, from the same root as "pain" in the previous verse, referring to the trauma his mother went through at his birth. It is unclear whether Jabez is praying to be kept from the guilt and chastisement that his mother went through, or from committing a similar type of sin himself

The latter thought, especially, holds a strong lesson for the Christian. The Jewish proverb, "the fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge" (Ezek. 18:2), is true in more than a theological sense. Children are strongly affected in a practical way by their early environment and tend to copy the behavioral patterns of their parents. Studies have shown that our image of God is influenced greatly by our image of our natural parents. Not only do we need to be free from Adamic sin and condemnation, but to be kept from the wrong things we have learned from having imperfect family environments.

How necessary it is, therefore, to pray, like Jabez, for God to show us a better way and to keep us from duplicating the mistakes that we learned in our youth. The best way to avoid the pain of guilt is to avoid the act that causes the guilt. Seeking to do this without divine help is to attempt the impossible. As the hymn phrases it, "when I think of self I tremble; when I look to thee I am strong." "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13).

The Final Assurance

If we, then, pray the prayer of Jabez and if we live the nobility of life of Jabez, that we can expect, as with Jabez, "and God granted him all that he requested."

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."—John 15:7

The Prayer of Jonah

Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly,
And said, 1 cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD,
and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried 1,
and thou heardest my voice.-- Jonah 2:1, 2

Contributed

"From the belly of hell," "from the pit of death," from the depths of despair, Jonah rose in figure from the dead and prayed to God in thanksgiving for his deliverance. And God heard his prayer, just as he has heard the prayers and groan­ings and travailings of mankind during this dark night of sin and death. Like Jonah, they are kept in remembrance for the Millennial Age, pictured by the three days and nights of his entombment in the fish. Then will come the desire of all peoples and nations. As Jonah was saved by the great fish that the Lord had prepared, so all of man­kind will be saved by the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, prepared by our loving heavenly Father be­fore the foundations of the earth were laid. When mankind is finally delivered to dry land, raised from the dead and rescued forever from the restless billows and waves of the raging sea, what blessings will come to them through the restitu­tion of all things, when they, like Jonah, return to God and are obedi­ent to his law.

Jonah, the obscure prophet of God, is mainly remembered for his disobedience and scoffed at for his foolishness. His experiences, so un­believable, have been relegated to the position of mere fables. Few bother to understand the reasons behind his actions, his concern for Israel's future, his fierce national­ism. Few see his repentance, his subsequent obedience, and his role as one of the holy prophets by whose mouth God preached restitu­tion. As a pious Israelite he draws from the wellsprings of Jewish ex­pressions and imagery; and his prayer, similar in many respects to the utterances of David, has brought peace, comfort, and under­standing to the faithful of all ages (i.e., cf. Jonah 2:8 and Psa. 31:6; Jonah 2:2 and Psa. 18:6; Jonah 2:9 and Psa. 3:8). Few realize the ef­fects of denying the historicity of the Jonah account, and what great spiritual truths and lessons have been obscured and lost. Of those today who comprehend the great plan of God, Jonah's prayer and experiences give deep insights into their Father's loving care and his great plan of salvation for all. Herein are contained lessons for the church, the nation of Israel, the world of mankind, and even those countless beings and universes yet to be created.

Jonah and Israel

Primarily Jonah's prayer depicts the experiences of the nation of Israel. Five days before his crucifix­ion Jesus declared that their house was left desolate (their 1845 years of national life and favor ended [Matt 23:38]). At this time they, like Jonah, symbolically fled from the presence of God, by the very act of their refusal to accept Jesus as their long prayed for Messiah. The law and the prophets, as in­tended, did not lead them to accept the exalted office of Christ's spiri­tual bride (Exod. 19:5, 6). Conse­quently, they were swallowed up in national death until the time ap­pointed to restore them to divine favor. A great time of trouble came upon the nation in A.D. 70 and wit­nessed the destruction of their city and temple and they descended into national death and oblivion (sheol). And, for the next 1845 years of dis­favor while the Gospel went to the gentiles, what afflictions they have suffered (Amos 3:2)! As a nation they have gone down "to the bot­toms [roots] of the mountains" (scattered throughout the nations) and the "earth with her bars was about me [all attempts at reestab­lishing it as a nation have been use­less and futile]." Here they have been shunned by all, herded into ghettoes, barred from most trades and professions, blamed for the problems of the world, and treated as outcasts and the offscourings of the earth. Truly they have been "cast . . . into the deep, in the midst of the seas [restless humanity], and the floods [fierce rejection and consequently .forced to assimilate into the nations in an attempt by the adversary to destroy their Jewish identity] compassed [them] about, [and almost succeeded in blotting out their identity]; all thy billows and thy waves passed over [themto be a Jew was to suffer the outrages and wrath of humanity]."

Throughout these long centuries, although "cast out of God's sight," "they still had regard for the holy temple." They are united by the strong ties of blood relationship and by common hopes inspired by a common faith in the wonderful promises of God, though they have but dimly comprehended those promises. They are still further bound together by the bond of sympathy growing out of their common sufferings and privations as exiles. To this day they look and long for the hope of Israel. While God has allowed these afflictions and persecutions to come as a penalty for their national crime of rejection of the gospel and crucifixion of the Redeemer, he will nevertheless in due time reward the constancy of their faith in his promises, to which they have so long and so perseveringly held.

In Jonah's prayer, as recorded in Chapter 2, we see the proper spirit finally restored to Jonah and through type. As with Jonah, when on dry land he recorded his prayer, Israel will reflect on their experiences and give thanks to God for their deliverance. They will see that Christ was their means of deliverance "and it shall be said in that day: this is our God, for whom we waited, that He might save us; this is the Lord for whom we waited, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation" (Isa. 25:9).

Thank God the gifts and callings of God are without repentance and this cast off, favorless condition will only be "age abiding"-during the Gospel Age. Since the seven times of disfavor have ended, Israel is again being restored to a position of favor and regathered from the four corners of the earth, never again to be scattered and without a homeland (Amos 9:11-15). The Lord is answering their often repeated prayer of "next year in Jerusalem." Ultimately they will, through the resurrection process, be brought out of the pit-the pit of death and national existence-to live again and to become that blesser nation that will constitute the earthly government of the New Jerusalem: "Out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Isa. 2:3).

"When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple" (v. 7). Favor having returned to them in 1878, God has again turned his face to them. The time had come to regather his people. "Fishers" (gentle methods of persuasion, i.e., Zionist movement) and "hunters" (persecution, such as the Holocaust [Jer. 16:16; Ezek. 20:32-37]) have been the forces used to lead them back to their homeland: "with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out" he pleads with them face to face and causes them to pass under the rod, to bring them into the bond of the covenant." When they are regathered, many will not willingly go up and repossess the land, especially the assimilationist Jew, -and difficult experiences will be necessary to make them ready to assume the role of leading all nations back to God (Zech. 8:23). What started as secular Zionism will develop into religious Zionism and with a changed and cleansed heart, God will make a new covenant with them. They will be the earthly administrators of this new covenant in order to bring all the willing of mankind to eternal life.

"But I with the voice of praise will sacrifice unto thee, what I have vowed I will pay, Salvation belongeth unto Yahweh" (Jonah 2:9). Having passed under the rod, repentant Israel will now be in a position to serve and praise the God of their Salvation: "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation" (Isa. 25:9).

World Of Mankind Portrayed In Jonah's Experiences

In Jonah's experiences we also see portrayed the experiences of the human race in general. They, through Adam's disobedience, fled from the presence of God. Through earth's long night of weeping, because of sin, they have chosen to "forget God" and "not hold the truth in righteousness." As a result mankind was figuratively cast adrift and in time became the raging, angry, restless sea fomented by the uncontrollable and unrestrained passions of human weaknesses. Unable to rescue itself from death and sin's dominion, every attempt to reestablish that which was lost has been thwarted by the billows (floods) and breakers of error and lies which the adversary has foisted upon them, making it impossible for mankind to retrace their steps back to God.

From his position of king of the earth, mankind went down to the bottom (root) of the mountains and there the "bars of earth were above"; the gates of hell closed over him, impeding him from reclaiming his original estate. Mankind went down into death and destruction just as Nebuchadnezzar did (Dan. 4). In the dream that preceded his humiliation, he saw a tree, representing man's original earthly dominion, hewn down and the stump bound with iron. All hope of regaining kingship was lost, but

God had left the "root" of the tree-his purpose and plan of restitution; yet it was bound with strong fetters so that it would not sprout until the divinely appointed time.

Death will have dominion only for the age, until the Millennial morning (Psa. 30:5; 49:15), because the gates of sheol are "age abiding" only and against Christ they have not been able to prevail. He has broken their bonds.

Church Portrayed In Jonah's Prayer

And what more fitting and beautiful prayer could be offered by the church than that uttered by Jonah. They too will offer this prayer on the third day when God helps her and "that right early" (Psa. 46:5). As the glorified church stands before the King in the splendor of her bridal robes, glittering white, embroidered with gold, what praises and songs will sound forth from her lips and fill the heavenly courts: "Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints" (Rev. 15:3). What wonder will fill their souls when they reflect on the way that God

has led them. Will not even the multitude of angelic beings marvel that God could bring these once sinful and ungodly beings from the pit of hell, form and shape them into new creatures in the billows and waves of the sea, and finally lead them to glorious divine splendor? They will tell of the regard the Lord had to the poor and contrite and broken in spirit, those who longed to return to God and his temple. When their soul hungered and thirsted for righteousness he heard their prayers; when they were persecuted and reviled and "suffered without the camp," God heard and deliverance was their final portion. To them was opened a new and living way-immortality.

Their song in the night, like Jonah in the belly of the fish for three days and nights, has been: "Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling . . . What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto th