The model prayer of Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13 has three basic components—Invocation (the reverent recognition of God’s pre-eminence, power, and sovereignty in verses 9 and 10), Petition (the humble entreaty of God for one’s most essential spiritual needs in verses 11 through 13), and Praise (the joyous expression of faith in God’s unchanging worthiness and character in v. 13).
The prayer concludes with this example of praise—”For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”
In these words of praise there are four reasons given for God’s utter worthiness. In yesterday’s meditation we considered the first two—God’s authority to answer your petitions and God’s ability to answer your petitions. Today, let’s consider the final two reasons:
God has the wisdom to prudently answer your petitions. As in all of life, the focus of prayer ought to be on God’s will and the glory He rightfully receives from your obedience to it. Who of us has the wisdom to prudently know what fits this bill? The apostle Peter rebuked Jesus for predicting His death and resurrection; he was mistaken (Matthew 16:21-23). The apostle Paul believed his thorn in the flesh was a hindrance to his service to Christ; he was mistaken (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
As someone has astutely observed, “It is hard to see the ‘big picture’ when you’re inside the frame.” God knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). He has ample wisdom to prudently answer your petitions.
Jehovah needs no advisors.
God is unchanging. “Forever” denotes timelessness. Our Father does not have one whit less authority, ability, or wisdom today than He did yesterday, one year ago, or thousands of years ago. “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:2). You and I pray to the same God that Adam and Eve communed with in the Garden of Eden prior to the Fall. You and I pray to the same God who appeared to Abram, to Moses on Mount Sinai, to Isaiah in Jerusalem’s temple, and to Ezekiel in Babylonian captivity by the River Chebar. “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers” (1 Peter 3:12) is just as true today as it was when David’s inspired pen wrote it three thousand years ago (Psalm 34:15).
“I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6).
Hallelujah!
