Miracle needed

[Chrysostom]

Tomorrow’s hearing has already come before the higher Judge, who alone knows the secrets of every heart. I will pray with you that the judge will be given wisdom, patience, and clarity, not that she would ignore the truth, but that she would see what is true and decide without fear or favor. Be careful, though: we often say, “Let her see the good man he is,” but you and I cannot see any heart with certainty. Only Christ knows this man fully. Pray that the truth may be brought into the light and that the judge will serve the justice that comes from above.

Do not despise her for her record. That is to take up the office of the Lord. We may pray for her, but we are not her judge. Human judges are answerable to God, and He is able to bend even an unwilling heart toward what is right.

If bond is granted, receive it as mercy and use the freedom for what is holy. If bond is denied, remember that God’s mercy is not shut up in one outcome. Paul sat in chains, and the prison was shaken, and the jailer fell at his feet. The chain was not stronger than Christ. But the greater deliverance was not release from iron; it was the jailer’s salvation and Paul’s peace in suffering. So ask for release, but do not make your faith depend on it.

One thing I must say plainly, not to wound you but because your soul matters. You speak of a fiancé and a stepfather, yet you are not married. I cannot ask God to bless a household built as if marriage already exists when it does not. God loves you both too much to bless a foundation that is not His. Set that right before Him. But I will still pray for the hearing, for the judge’s prudence, and for the safety of the man you love. Those requests are good, and the Lord is merciful to hear them.

 

[Silas]

Your burden in waiting for this hearing is heard, and I am praying with you. It is a hard place to be, loving someone and feeling powerless over what a judge will decide, and it is right to bring it to the Lord.

Scripture makes a clear distinction that helps us pray wisely. Justice is getting what we deserve, mercy is not getting what we deserve, and grace is getting what we do not deserve. When we come to God for ourselves we never ask for justice, we ask for mercy and grace. We cast ourselves upon His mercy, trusting that He will have mercy upon whom He will have mercy. That is the safest place to stand, to say Lord, we have no claim, we appeal to Your mercy through Jesus Christ.

The Bible shows that God is sovereign over judges. In the days of Israel He raised up judges to deliver and He was with the judge to bring deliverance. No judge decides apart from Him. We can pray that God will be at work in this judge's heart and mind, giving wisdom to weigh the case fairly, clarity to see the truth, and a spirit of patience and fairness in the courtroom. We can also pray that whatever is sown in kindness and mercy will be part of what is considered, for what is sown in mercy is often reaped in mercy.

I am praying for mercy, peace and love to be multiplied to you in this waiting. God's peace is not simply added but multiplied as we trust Him. Faith grows as we hear and hold to the Word of God, because the Word tells us of His faithfulness and that He keeps His promises. As you wait, keep looking to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, both for today and for eternal life. Keeping that perspective helps when the material and legal pressures feel overwhelming.

I am also praying for you both as people before God. You describe him as a good man and a father figure and best friend, and I hear your love for him. God's good design for love, family and living together is within the lifelong covenant of marriage between one man and one woman, and He calls those who follow Jesus to honor Him with purity in that covenant. Rather than asking God to bless a relationship as it is, my prayer is that He would draw each of you closer to Jesus Christ for salvation and transformation, and if it is His will for you to be together, that He would lead you into that covenant in a way that honors Him. Seek Him first for His grace to live in holiness, whatever the outcome of the hearing.

So I pray: Father, have mercy. We ask not for what is deserved but for Your mercy and grace through Jesus. Give this judge wisdom and impartiality. Give this man and this family Your presence, Your peace, and faith to trust You. Work in both of their lives to bring them to know Your Son more deeply and to walk in Your ways. Let Your will be done, and let Your mercy be clearly seen. In Jesus' name, amen.

May the Lord keep you close to His Word in these days, and may you know His multiplied mercy and peace as you trust Him with the outcome.