The Power Of A Binding Precedent

The Lord rules over all of creation with majesty and power. His laws govern the whole universe — all of nature, every nation and all the affairs of men. He rules over the seas, the planets, the heavenly bodies and all their movements. The Bible tells us:

“He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations” (Psalm 66:7). “The Lord reigns, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength…Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting…Thy testimonies are very sure” (93:1–2, 5).

These Psalms were written by David, who is testifying, in essence: “Lord, your testimonies — your laws, decrees and words — are irrevocable. They are utterly reliable.” The author of Hebrews echoes this, declaring that God’s Living Word is eternal and unchangeable: “the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

Think about it: there are laws operating in the universe that govern how things work, without exception. Consider the laws that rule the movements of the sun, moon, stars and earth. These heavenly bodies were all put into place when God spoke a word, and since that time they have been ruled by laws that God also spoke into being.

We’re told throughout the New Testament that this great God is our Father and that he takes pity on his children. Hebrews tells us the Lord is touched with the feelings of our infirmities, and that he hears our every cry and bottles every tear. Yet we’re also told that he is the righteous King who judges by his law. And his Word is his constitution, containing all of his legal decrees, by which he rules justly. Everything in existence is judged by his immutable Word.

Simply put, we can hold the Bible in our hands and know, “This book tells me who God is. It describes his attributes, nature, promises and judgments. It is his rule of law, from his own mouth, by which he rules and reigns. And it is a Word to which he has bound himself.”

God does not rule by pity or feelings, any more than an earthly judge decides cases by human sympathy.

Every earthly judge swears to determine a case before him according to the established law. He is not to rely on his own feelings or judgment, but issues rulings that are guided by the constitution of the land.

Likewise, God rules and judges everything before him according to the eternal law — that is, his own established Word. When the Lord makes a ruling, he speaks by his living Word, a Word to which he has bound himself.

We know that our Father is also King and Judge and has given us unlimited access to his court. And he has invited us to draw nigh to him, which we’re to do by prayer. There are many definitions of prayer, and many books and instructions on how to pray, but in the simplest terms prayer means to come into God’s presence where he is.

In short, it is by prayer that we go to God’s throne of grace, where he is seated. And there, in his presence, we are to make our requests known to him. Paul urges us, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests [petitions] be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

I often hear Christians say, “I don’t really ask God for much. I pray only for his will in my life, for his plan to be brought about on the earth. I don’t ask him for what he can give me. I seek him only for himself, not for his gifts.”

I have said these same things at times because I thought such an attitude is holy, but in truth it is not. Think of it: the all-knowing, all-powerful God of creation has given us his personal invitation to “come boldly to his throne.” And once we’re there, he invites us to ask of him, to make requests of him, to make our needs known before him. Consider these verses:

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him” (Ephesians 3:12). These verses speak of coming to God boldly with our pressing needs, which pleases him.

there comes a time when the conditions of our lives become so critical that another kind of praying is necessary. When situations overwhelm us — when our needs seem impossible to meet, when discouragement casts us down, when sickness, financial troubles, fears or family problems weigh upon us — we must come boldly to the Father.

In such times, our needs will not be met by anemic, half-hearted prayer that gives up after a day or two. During these times, the true, unchanging Word of God exhorts us, “Come to the Father’s throne, and do so boldly. The door is open to you. Come with confidence that he will keep his Word.”