Drawing Closer To The Father's Heart
A Journey through the Lord's Prayer
by
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Friends, the importance of absorbing the lesson of Kingdom obedience and loving service cannot be overemphasized. For those of us who developed our values in the “Me Generation,” it is becoming increasingly clear that the promise offered in its premise -- concern for self first will bring happiness -- cannot be fulfilled. We are not the center of the Universe. God is. However, a funny thing happens when we recognize and accept this truth. Jesus said, “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33).
While He referred to “things” in this passage such as clothing and food, the next verse refers not to things but to our worries. Jesus may have been telling us here that when we seek first the Kingdom, then the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). The Hebrew greeting Shalom, so rich in meaning, expresses this peace -- not only peace of mind but also a completeness or wholeness of the soul, a well-being that transcends the simple absence of conflict or agitation. It implies perfect harmony in our physical, mental, and spiritual health, welfare, and prosperity.
This is the same word for peace Jesus used as He prepared His disciples for His impending death. “...in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Jesus provided His disciples the peace of heart, mind, and spirit that He knew they would require to endure His coming crucifixion and their transition into a life of obedient service spreading the Gospel without His physical presence. We are blessed with this amazing peace, as well, when we seek first, not the promises of our worldly culture, but rather the ever-faithful promises of the One who reigns in the Kingdom of God as our “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Paul tells us, “Once you were slaves of sin, but…being freed from serving sin, you took uprightness as your master” (Romans 6:17...19 NJB). Paul’s metaphor of bondage or slavery reminds me of the Old Testament story of Jacob who served seven years in bondage for the woman he loved. To some, those seven years might have seemed like a lifetime. However, the following verse from Genesis 29:20 tells us, “Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.” This is such a heartwarming story. What is more I believe it was given to us as a preview of what it is like to serve the Lord Jesus. When we serve in His Name, He promises, His ...yoke is easy and the burden is light (Matthew 11:30).
The Greek word for “easy” in the original text denotes that which is useful, pleasant, comfortable, and good. This definition helps us to understand God’s intention when, from the Beginning, labor was incorporated into God’s Kingdom plan on earth. Adam was to tend all of the Garden of Eden and he had dominion over every animal on the face of the earth. That was quite a responsibility by any stretch of the imagination. However, we can determine from scripture that life in the Garden, despite including much work, was peaceable, comfortable, pleasant, and good. All was in perfect harmony. It was only after the fall that man’s work became a life-long struggle (Genesis 3:17) -- that is, until Jesus came and offered His yoke in exchange for our toil. So we see that the yoke of Jesus blesses us with Shalom. Our service to Him is as Jacob’s, because we are serving for the one we love.
Just as in the Heavenly Kingdom, our heart’s desire will be to worship and praise our Lord. In the Father’s Kingdom on earth, when we accept Jesus as our Master, we begin to surrender our will to Him, and it becomes our heart’s desire to serve Him. This spirit of service, inspired by our love for Him, plants seeds for His Kingdom.
Each seed of loving kindness has as its root, Jesus, the Root and the offspring of David (Revelation 22:16), and it sprouts into that great tree of which Jesus said: “…behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work…Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life…” (Revelation 22:12,14).
If each of us, in our own little corner of the world, call God’s Kingdom into our hearts each day; then it will follow that we will serve others in His Name, planting seeds of love which will grow and branch into that great Tree of Life. Perhaps this is the only answer to the evil in our world today. So often as we listen to pessimistic news reports we are left feeling hopeless and helpless. Nevertheless, even though our lives may not present opportunities to do grand deeds with far-reaching results, each of us can try each day to bring light and love to the little circle on earth we call our family, workplace, and community...
If we do this, God’s Kingdom on earth will gradually spill over from one person into another and another. What is more, we will have a share in the promise that the Father will honor us and we will have the right to a place in the Tree that Jesus told us about -- the great Tree of Life Eternal in the heavenly Kingdom. Think on this as you pray…
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
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About the Book
Drawing Closer to the Father's Heart is a verse by verse journey through the Lord's Prayer. It seeks to broaden one's understanding of this beautiful Scripture and to show its relevance in the 21st century. It is my hope that those who read it will come away with a deeper awareness of the meaning within the words as well as a clearer insight into the heart of the "One" who spoke them first so long ago.
The text raises questions intended to motivate readers to examine their own beliefs and to test them based on the Word of God. Time spent studying God's Word can be such an adventure. It is the my prayer that those who come along on this journey will be blessed as I was in writing this book.
About the Author
Carrie Lantz is a wife, mother, grandmother, and an artist at heart. Her love for the Bible has motivated her to read and study its content ever since she can remember. She has enjoyed sharing what she has learned over the years by teaching Sunday School and youth groups. Inspiration to write this small book came after preparing a study of the Lord's prayer for a summer Sunday school class with members of all ages. Publication of the material was not her original intent nor goal. However, by the grace of God, and encouragement from friends and family, her study eventually blossomed into this text.