Prayer 124: Get Beyond The Facts

In a worship service many years ago when we were traveling as missionaries, there was a worship leader who was attractive. And the way she lead worship seemed to invite more and more attention. As I stood there in the service, I was uncomfortable with her presentation and her attention seeking manners, so I turned and looked at Angela through much of the service.

As I did, Angela got upset. When the service was over and we were driving home, Angela got upset with me. How dare you stare at me and compare me to that other woman. Her insecurity had caused her to misunderstand my motives.

I explained to her that I was not comparing her to the girl on stage. Rather, I was choosing to focus my eyes on the beauty of the wife of my youth to keep my heart enamored with the woman I had married- rather than looking at a woman who wanted to drag my attention away from my wife.

Angela knew the facts- I kept looking at her during the worship service. But she did not understand the truth.

Facts vs Truth.

Genesis 37:29–36 NIV84

When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?” Then they got Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. They took the ornamented robe back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.” He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said, “in mourning will I go down to the grave to my son.” So his father wept for him. Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.

Knowing The Facts Is Not The Same As Knowing The Truth

Jacob knew the facts.

Joseph was missing

Joseph’s robe was torn and bloody

Jacob did not know the truth.

Joseph was in Egypt

Joseph’s brothers had dipped his robe in blood

Jacob did not know the truth- he only knew the facts. But he cried out in fasting and prayer in his grief, and God revealed the truth to him in due time.

Trusting In Men Will Often Lead Us To The Wrong Conclusions

Don’t expect men to tell you the truth when it is in their best interest to tell you a lie.

A few honorable men will still tell you the truth. If you don’t expect it, you will be pleasantly surprised in the few occasions when it does happen and you won’t be disillusioned in those normal cases when it doesn’t.

Trusting In Our Own Understanding Will Often Lead Us To The Wrong Conclusions

We should really walk with a healthy measure of humility when you consider how often we get things wrong. Instead, we tend to run with an unhealthy dose of pride spouting our impatient ignorance for all the world to know.

Only Trusting In God Will Bring Us To Truth

In prayer we bring the facts we know to God, and seek God for the truth only He knows.

Often times the facts we do know are contingent on things in the future that we do not know. So the best way to be on the right path is to listen to the only one who knows the future- God.

If we live our lives based on facts, we will never be at peace.

Facts can mess you up and send your mind tumbling into dark chasms of fear.

My bank account is empty. Actually you get paid tomorrow.

I have cancer like symptoms. Actually you just have a cold.

My wife won’t call me. She is angry at me. Actually she is taking a nap. Rejoice. She will be happy and rested when you get home.

My car is making a weird noise. I think the engine is blown. Actually, you got a tree limb caught in the bumper at the last stop light and its dragging the ground and making a terrible racket.

If we live our lives based on God’s truth- we can be at peace even when the facts are against us.

Truth is greater than facts. Facts can be misinterpreted, distorted, confused.

Truth is understanding of that which is absolutely right. Truth is more than knowing facts. It is knowing the One who is right and who does all things right. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”

To know Truth is to know Jesus.

Facts can be distorted by sinful men to misrepresent the truth.

Truth Brings Freedom

Joseph shared the truth about the future and was set free from prison.

Truth Brings Reconciliation

Joseph shared the truth that he was alive with his brothers and he was reconciled to his father.

Truth Brings Hope

Joseph shared the truth with his brothers and they no longer had to fear starvation.

Truth Brings Salvation

Joseph shared the truth with his brothers and saved them from the famine. The truth brought them the King’s provision.

Facts may drive us to prayer, but we need to pray the truth.

How do we pray the truth? We pray God’s word.

Facts are just information. They are powerless to help us.

Truth is a person who loves us and wants what is best for us, who can make all things work together for our benefit.

Don’t base your life on powerless facts that just invoke fear. Trust in the Truth and cling to Him in every situation. He has promised to never leave you or forsake you.

Some years ago in China, a Christian pastor was put in jail. His wife had no support and could barely survive. One day she discovered that thieves had stolen all of the potatoes out of her garden. She was devastated. That was the only food she had to feed her children through the winter.

In her grief, she cried out to God. God spoke gently to her. Do not fear. They did not take all of the potatoes. Dig deeper.

So she went back to her garden and dug deeper than she would normally dig. There she found the biggest potatoes she had ever seen. Her garden was full of them. The thieves had only stolen the smaller ones on top. She dug deeper in her garden and found plenty of big, beautiful potatoes to feed her children through the whole winter.

The fact was thieves had stolen her potatoes. The truth was that God had already made provision for her and grew bigger, better potatoes down deeper to provide for her family.

Romans 8:28 NIV84

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Provision

Father, I know my bank account is empty, but I thank you that your word declares:

Philippians 4:19 NIV84

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 37:25 NIV84

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

Psalm 34:10 NIV84

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Hebrews 13:5 NIV84

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Sickness

Father, I may have symptoms but I thank you that:

Psalm 91:16 NIV84

With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Psalm 107:20 NIV84

He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.

Isaiah 53:5 NIV84

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Peace

I may be facing problems, but God is the source of my peace.

Matthew 11:28 NIV84

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

John 14:27 NIV84

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

1 John 4:18 NIV84

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Salvation of Children

Acts 16:31 NIV84

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”