“To encounter the words of the Scripture is to encounter God in action.”- Timothy Ward, Words of Life (2009)
In Chapter 5 (“Encountering God”) of Prayer, Timothy Keller states that although prayer is a conversation with God, such conversations can remain at a superficial level, never rising to true personal encounter and relationship. It’s the difference between knowing about God and knowing God.
Pastor Keller then discusses the primary theological fact about prayer, namely that we address a triune God and that our prayers are heard through the distinct work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Citing Augustine’s great work On the Trinity, Pastor Keller emphasizes:
” . . . our ability to love other persons is just an image of the internal Trinitarian love that we were created to reflect. . . . a triune God [calls] us to converse with him, to know and relate to him . . . because he wants to share the joy he has. Prayer is our way of entering into the happiness of God himself.”
Our adoption as God’s children, then, revolutionizes how we live our lives day to day. As God’s children, we have access to Him through prayer. Since we have assurance that God cares for us, we are enabled to experience calm and strength in our lives.
Today’s question: During your desert, land between time, how have you maintained your assurance that God cares for you? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Confidence or fear?”
