Jeremiah 42:10 – “If you will only stay in this land, I will build you up.  I will not tear you down.  I will firmly plant you.  I will not uproot you.  For I am filled with sorrow because of the disaster that I have brought on you.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, I was challenged regarding prayer, faith, expectation, and God’s response.

In Jeremiah’s day, when Babylon captured Jerusalem, a group came to the prophet for a word of direction.   They wanted to flee to Egypt but sought the prophet’s direction.  He said (my paraphrase), “Stay put, don’t go.  If you stay here, in this storm, I will take care of you, and you will be safe and prosper.”  (Jeremiah 42:10).

They didn’t listen, placing themselves under the curse proclaimed in Jeremiah 34:17 – “Therefore, I will grant you freedom, the freedom to die in war, or by starvation, or disease.”   Simply put, you will choose your destruction by your disobedience.  Don’t blame God for your wrong choices.

Obedience brings favor, while disobedience brings disaster.   In Acts 12, we see something incredible about God’s favor.  Herod was on a rampage, seeking to kill the apostles.  He had killed James and had Peter in prison, planning to execute him, too.   They could have all run and hid, but had remained faithful to God’s call.

The church was earnestly praying for Peter.   Prayer is powerful, even if it is not coupled with expectation.   We are told that the effectual fervent prayers of the righteous have success.   It did not say ‘expectant’; it said ‘fervent’.  It’s far more powerful if expectation is part of the equation, but still powerful and evidence of another reason to ALWAYS pray and not faint.

God delivered Peter, and when he went to the house where the prayer meeting was taking place, they did not believe he was there.   They told Rhoda, “You are out of your mind!”

Never stop praying. God is working, and using this example, we see that He honors earnest, fervent prayer.  Ask and keep on asking.  Knock and keep on knocking.   Seek and keep on seeking.   Be not weary in well doing (earnestly fervently praying is well doing), for the harvest (answer) will come in God’s timing.

Stay where God has planted you and do what He has instructed you.  Pray earnestly and fervently without ceasing.  He will surprise you!   He never fails!   Expectation (faith) amplifies its power, but pray regardless of your level of expectation.  He is still God!

May your day be filled with His presence, and may you achieve His purposes in your life!