In our last post, we started to examine one more trigger to the promises of God. It is similar to the first verse, which we consider to be the initial trigger for being able to decree successfully. In Job 22.21, the Bible charges us to acquaint ourselves with God. So, each time I approach God for help, I should ask myself, “Am I a friend of God?” Am I even a child of God? Does He know me enough to snatch me out of trouble? Allow an illustration.
A severe storm is passing through your city. Nobody would like to remain outside in such a storm. But there is a man outside. He sees your light on and approaches your house to get him out of the storm. You go to the door but do not recognize him. What will you do? I am sure I will not let him in, tornado or no tornado. I might help him call 9-1-1.
That is what happens to the one who is not a friend of God. God does not know you, regardless of your preaching and healing miracles. You might remember the parable that Jesus used to illustrate this point. These men were active in the church, healing the sick and performing other miracles. When they arrived at the gate, God had to turn them away. None was a friend of God. He told them, I do not know you. Depart from me. That is why we have to ensure that each of us is a friend of God.
Being A Friend Of God Is The Start.
At this point, we are graduating from kindergarten and can expect God to grant our requests. We saw the example of Jabez in an earlier post. I am ready to sing the refrain of that song about being a friend of God. It goes like this. “I am a friend of God, (3ce) He calls me friend.” What a glorious state. For such a believer, God stands at the door, waiting to be gracious to him. When you are about to knock on the door, God opens it to you and snatches you out of trouble.
That believer is a friend of God, of whom Isaiah 65.24 speaks. God says, “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer. While they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Wow! All you have to do is think of your problem, and God is standing right there, giving you the answer. I pray that God will recognize you as His friend in times of trouble.
On Our Way To Successful Decrees
But there is more. Just as nobody stops learning after kindergarten, we must press on. Pity the pastor who pretends to decree when he still looks to his congregation for his meal ticket. Even more, pity the Christian who lets such a pastor lead them in decreeing. Ha! They should apply to attend the kindergarten school we are already graduates of. We each graduated as a friend of God and can now move on to delighting in our heavenly friend.
See how Jesus said it: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you.” Imagine that. Everything we desire will be added to us, even before the friend of God asks. But there is a process. The Bible says even the corn obeys the law and goes through a process before it matures. There is first the blade, then the ear, and after that, the full corn in the ear.
That is why we must press on to the prize of being able to decree effectively. All these benefits – answered requests and actual wealth – are merely bonuses to encourage us to keep going. We start by guarding the certificate we already have – “friend of God” and then gain more. The Bible continues with our lesson: “You will make your prayer to Him, He will hear you, and you will pay your vows.” True, God granted your request. Do you leave off praying to go and enjoy what He gave you, or do you continue to pray?
The Friend Of God Understands The Process
This verse in Job 22.27 suggests we should pray always. It does not matter to the friend of God that the Almighty has granted his latest request. A friend will not turn his back to go and ‘enjoy’ the blessing he received. I would share that blessing with my friend, even though this particular friend does not need a physical blessing.
However, there is a ‘blessing’ with which we can bless the Lord, and the friend of God knows that. When the Bible says, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul. And all that is within me, bless His holy name,” what does it mean? It encourages us to exalt God, praise Him, and acknowledge that all good things come from Him. The friend of God speaks well of his friend, in appreciation of His goodness and greatness. His praise should continually be in my mouth, as the Psalmist says
Finally, we are to pay our vows. I smile each time I see the word ‘vow’ in the bible because we make wild promises when looking to God for answers. And yet, the bible advises that it is better not to make vows than to vow and not pay. So, before we arrive at a successful decreeing, the friend of God has to pay his vow.
Now, at last, you are ready to decree. Start with yourself. The gospel started from “Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” It is the same with decrees. I am starting with the vision in my right eye. Find a need in your life and decree it in or out as the case may be.
Maranatha!
