(Day 13) Seeking God Through His Word, Prayer, and Fasting

Acts 10

The things that are most important to us, we make room for. We rearrange our schedule, deny ourselves sleep, sacrifice, etc. all to prioritize whatever it is we deem to be significant. For us, we understand that in these serious times, we need to draw closer to God so that He can deposit in us those things that will strengthen us, not only for our current battles, but for what's to come. Our needs are met as He speaks to us out of His Word, we are enriched by His presence in prayer, and we become disciplined and humbled through fasting. These things should characterize who we are and how we live. It should be evident to people that see us that we are people with faith in God, that represent Him, not just with words, but through a lifestyle of worship and devotion to Him.

We read of such a person in Acts named Cornelius, who was a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always (Acts 10:2). There are some interesting things for us to notice as we read the account of his life in the Word.

1. Cornelius was devout - he was a worshipper of the living God

2. Cornelius feared God - he reverenced God

3. Cornelius had godly influence - his life and witness impacted his household and those around him

4. Cornelius was generous - he used his resources to bless others

5. Cornelius was a praying man - he prayed to God always

In that Cornelius was diligent in seeking God through a lifestyle of devotion, God responded in a powerful way. God gave him a vision (verses 3-6) that would shift his life and his family. This is the power, privilege, and the reward of prayer. When we commit to seeking God, He obligates Himself to respond with instruction, guidance, comfort, or whatever the need may be. Apparently, the prayer of Cornelius was for an understanding of this new faith that he wanted to sincerely live to God's glory. Cornelius was a gentile, new to the faith of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In response to his prayers, he receives a divine visitation to gain revelation.

There's great encouragement for us that are sincerely seeking God through His Word, prayer, and fasting. God delights in seeing our hearts earnestly desiring Him; in fact, He makes special note of it. During the time of David being taken by the Philistines, he felt swallowed up by his enemies; he doubtlessly was seeking God for His help and strength. He said Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto Thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. In God will I praise His Word: in the Lord will I praise His Word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me (Psalm 56:8-11).

Like David, we seek God because we trust Him; we trust in His Word that He will speak to the questions of our heart. David says in the Lord will I PRAISE His Word. God is paying attention to your prayers and observing your coming out to meet Him. He hears our conversations we have with those that are seeking after God with us. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth His own son that serveth him (Malachi 3:16-17

The answer that Cornelius received from God was that his prayers and thine alms (generosity) are come up for a memorial before God (Acts 10:4). Take comfort dear reader; let your prayers take flight into the heavens. Like a sweet smelling fragrance, the sincerity of our prayers rise into the nostrils of God. God gave clear, specific instructions to Cornelius as to what he was to do. He will do the same for us as we purposefully pursue His presence. Cornelius was to send for the apostle Peter, who was being prepared to come and minister to Cornelius, the praying man.

ANTICIPATION AND EXPECTATION

As you seek God, you should sense the desire of God to move profoundly in your life. In faith, we should believe that God is orchestrating the affairs of our lives and processing us according to His purpose. Cornelius, knowing that God had given Him instructions to send for someone that would bring a Word that he needed to hear and obey, called together his kinsmen (relatives) and near friends (Acts 10:24). Our praying and seeking after God is never just about the benefits it brings to us, but must also be for the betterment of others as we intercede for them.

It should also be mentioned that Peter, the man that God would send to minister to Cornelius was also praying, and through prayer, God prepared him for the important assignment of sharing a timely word to Cornelius. Through these two men that had never met separately praying, God would bring them together to open the door of salvation to the gentiles. Peter would preach, and Cornelius and those that he had called would receive God's Word. When Peter arrived to Cornelius, he found many that were come together (Acts 10:27). He says to Cornelius, I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? (Acts 10:29). And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house - (Acts 10:30). Don't miss that! What was he doing? he was fasting and praying and God was memorializing and responding!

When Peter began to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, declaring what He did, His life of ministry, death, burial and resurrection, it touched the hearts of Cornelius and all them that he had called to come. He rightly anticipated that God would bless him and his family and friends. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word (Acts 10:44). Cornelius sought God, in prayer and fasting. God responded by saving Cornelius and many that were close to him. We should believe God for the same; that He will respond in power and might to save our loved ones and finish the work He's begun in us.

From the heart and hand of Pastor Reginald Reaves