Soul Scientist

Matthew 6:9-13 HCSB “Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, Your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]”

Whenever my soul is full over the top with aching to be out there on my family farm, I wonder if my longings for this particular piece of land is but a glimpse of my soul’s true longing for that forever heavenly land? If so, then could the prayers I whisper in worship as I walk the land be a pointing to His will be done on earth as it is in heaven? Or in other words, could my prayer today be a taste of the Lord’s Prayer for always (see Matthew 6:9-13)?

We’re told that one day the veil will be removed, the glass undimmed, and His glorious Face clearly seen (see 1 Corinthians 13:12). These truths and others linger like a prayer for the now and not-yet on my lips, heart, and mind. Could the desiring of that day of Jesus’ return be an invitation beckoning me to walk this land as I wait for the heavenly land? For I know on that day of Christ’s return, all His hope of glory will be revealed with His children released and His creation recreated (see 1 Corinthians 1:20).

Prayer is the balm that soothes the ache of the now.

Praise is the beacon that shouts louder than the agony known in the now.

Promise is the brightness that shines amidst the anguish of the now.

Knowing this, I can walk a little further in today as I offer my desires for the not-yet in prayer. I can walk a little bolder as I praise. I can walk a little braver as I hold hard to His promises. Only He knows all the pain; only He supports in the suffering. I don’t have to tell Him about the disappointments or denials since He already knows them. Yet He calls me to tell Him all about the anything and everything and thus, to cast my cares upon Him as the One Who truly cares for me, in every day and every desire and dream (see 1 Peter 5:7).

The promises, praise, and prayer have held me fast many days in walking this land while looking forward to the heavenly land. And they will do the same today as I don’t have the strength even for walking. Those promises, praise, and prayers remind me of this truth – His power, His promises, His purpose are found in my weaknesses (see 2 Corinthians 12:9).

For as much as I long to walk the land of my earthly fathers today at the farm, this yearning can’t compare with how much I long to walk the heavenly land of my Father God this very moment. He alone gives strength to stride steadfastly on this land while the eyes of my heart scan the skies for the heavenly land. His strength is made perfect in my weakness. His Presence grows my faith from a mustard seed that came from His Hand for walking this land. And those truths increase a steady solid hope to long for, dream of, and keep looking for His glory and the good of His people in this land. This hope in turn reminds me that He Himself has already gone to His heavenly land to prepare a place for me to walk, wonder, and worship (see John 14:2). Also, this hope reminds me yet again of His promises…

My God made the promises.

My God keeps His promises.

My God holds me here on this land with His promises.

My God will keep me there in His heavenly land with His promises.

And my God yearns to do the same for you today in whatever land in which you are walking or wandering or waiting or wishing. He is our God in this land of the now. He is our God in the heavenly land of the not-yet.

He is God. Just as He’s promised. And trust me, that’s far more than enough for any land or longing or any day or any dream.

With all that in mind, let’s linger over another look at the Lord’s Prayer and let its’ truth seep in and soak the soil of our souls with hope today as we watch and wait for His glorious appearing…

Matthew 6:9-13 NLT  Pray like this: Our Father in heaven,  may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

Written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2024.

We still have room for YOU in the online book study of “Well Grounded: Cultivating Intimacy with God” on Thursday nights 6:30-7:30pm CDT from October 17 to November 7. To sign up, please send me your email through the contact me page here on the blog. Thanks!