Do not pray for your surroundings to change.

 Do not pray for your surroundings to change.   

Welcome, today. Today we will continue our message about proper prayers. Should we pray about certain things that a lot of people pray for? Last time we talked about instead of praying for a change, praying for a way. Today is similar. It is normal for people to pray, for something in their life, that is unpleasant to be removed. However, let’s look at this passage in Numbers 21. Start at verse 4

“From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?”

Now remember, although they were obedient, they also both lacked faith in God and were angry that their comfort zone, for what it was, was taken away from them. They could not see that God called them to move to a better land that He was providing them, nor were they even thankful that God set them free of slavery and bondage to the Egyptians.

“For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food."

Again, they were not even thankful that God was providing for them in miraculous ways. They did not see that without God, they would have surely died of starvation and thirst. Reminds me of a rich spoiled brat. Daddy makes and has billions in the bank. He gives them anything they need and or want. No other father has this much money or power. One day his child, the spoiled brat, receives a car for their birthday. However, to them, it is the wrong color or type and they become angry with their father and complain and or even speak out against their father to others.

“Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people so that many people of Israel died.”

Why did God do this? Was it because God hated them? Was it because He wanted them to die? No. Can you say “disciplining them?” He was angry with their lack of faith and their ungratefulness that He was disciplining them. Remember, like any good father, God disciplines those He loves.

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” Hebrews 12:6

Why?

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11

Through this discipline, God’s loved, and chosen people repented. Back to Numbers 21.

“And the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us."

Obviously, they did not like that God had “sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people so that many people of Israel died.” This was their new surroundings and their new circumstances. They were asking for God to change them. However, notice this. Not all were repentant. Since not all were repentant, God did NOT do as they asked. He did NOT remove all the snakes. What did He do? He created a way.

“So Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten when he sees it, shall live."

Snakes were still there. The snakes were still biting people and people were still dying. God did not remove this. However, He made a way for those who were truly repentant to be saved from it. Sound familiar? Whoever repented of this sin, was saved if they followed God's plan of forgiveness.

“So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.” Numbers 21:4-9

God may not change your surroundings or your circumstances. But He will ALWAYS create a way through. Look at the world we live in. More on praying for the world itself next time. But look at your surroundings. We live in a sinful, rebellious, ungrateful world. So what does He say to His children who live in such surroundings? He created a way to be in the world but not of it. Of course, Jesus coming and dying for us. Just like the Jews that God set free from the bondage of Egypt and the bonds of slavery, God set us free of the bondage of sin and death. Yet, we are still in the desert of sin. Our time is not yet to receive our promised land. For those who are faithful, God is faithful in creating a way for us. First, He gives us protection, against the fiery serpents and darts of the evil one.

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:11-13

He endows us with power from on high.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Just like the Jews, He promised us a land far better than this one. Just like the Jews, their sin delayed their receiving this promised land. Including some sinners who never saw it. We are in a desert as well, because of sin, we are delayed and some will never see it. Why is it taking so long for all this to end and for the true children of God to see the new heavens and new earth?

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Let’s get a couple of things straight. There really is a heaven and there really is a hell, and God and the devil exist if you believe or not. Reality does not depend on your acceptance, rejection, or desire for it to be any other way. As my grandmother was fond of saying, simply put, “It is what it is.” The reality is God is watching and waiting. He will not wait forever. He sees what is going on. He knows who is faithful and who never will be. Look at this story that Jesus tells us.

“He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' So the servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' But he said, 'No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, "Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn."'” Matthew 13:24-30

Evil is here. Evil people are here. People who openly and willfully serve the devil are here. The heart of man, the flesh, is here and continually evil. Those who do not repent and allow Jesus to be their sacrifice and their salvation will be cast into hell. A place never meant for man, but man chose to reject God and therefore suffers the same fate as the devil and his followers in the end time.

As a child of God, there is nothing that we could possibly do to these people that is even worthy to be compared to what awaits them. Those that today openly mock God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and yes, even you as a child of God. Some of them say they can’t wait to go to hell. We should not hate these people. We should pity them. We should pray for them but it is ultimately their choice to listen or not. To accept the truth and be saved or not. This is why Jesus tells us this.

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44-45

Another reason Jesus tells us not to envy those people. Yes. Sometimes it seems unfair. Some of these people have millions of dollars and great ease in their lives. They have everything they could ever want and you think it would be nice to trade places with them. To have what they have. To do some of the things they do. Be careful what you wish for. You may end up going where they go. Right now it seems unfair. That is only until the end. Remember the rich man and Lazarus?

"There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you, a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.'” Luke 16:19-26

I’m sure the rich man was not a nice man. He was still attempting to order the poor Lazarus to serve him. He did not care about the poor and those he felt were beneath him. He did not accept Jesus or the Gospels while he was alive. He had a good life. Rich. Perfect expensive clothes. Most likely he was feared and revered among men. He had whatever he wanted whenever he wanted it. Lazarus? He was poor and had nothing. Probably despise by people and suffered most of his life. Would it make sense that Lazarus coveted what the rich man had? Of course. Desire to have and do the things the rich man had and did. Even the rich man’s respect from others? Sure. Look at them now. Would you really want to change with the rich man now?

Yes, your situation and surroundings may not be as you may like. It’s ok to pray about it. However, make no mistake, God may not change your surroundings. You may actually be there for a reason. Rather, pray to God about it. Ask God, what is your will for me in this situation? Ask Him to endow you with wisdom, and power. Comfort, and peace.

You may be surprised. You may see your surroundings differently. From confusion to clarity. From scary to at peace. From problems to possibilities. Obstacles to opportunities. God can do anything. All you have to do is trust in Him.

Do you know Jesus as your savior? If you are not in His family, how can He even try to bless you? Say this prayer. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Jesus, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Brand new Email if you wish to contact me, it's truthbygod1@gmail.com

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!