What does "ask Me about the things to come" teach about prayer? The Passage in Focus “Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: ‘Ask Me about things to come concerning My sons, and you can instruct Me about the work of My hands.’” (Isaiah 45:11) Setting the Scene • Isaiah is answering doubts from exiled Judah. • God has just announced He will raise up Cyrus, a pagan king, to free His people (Isaiah 45:1–8). • Some Jews struggle with that plan; God responds by asserting His sovereignty and inviting them to talk to Him about it. An Invitation to Dialog with God • “Ask Me” is not reluctant permission; it is a warm summons. • The verb implies continual, earnest inquiry—not a one-time request. • Prayer, therefore, is meant to be interactive: God speaks, we respond, He clarifies. (cf. Jeremiah 33:3; Psalm 27:8) Prayer as Seeking God’s Perspective on the Future • God alone knows “things to come” (Isaiah 46:10). He encourages us to seek that knowledge from Him, not from human speculation or occult practices. • Revelation may come through Scripture (Psalm 119:105), the inner witness of the Spirit (John 16:13), or circumstances He orchestrates. • Asking about the future is not prying into secrets but aligning with His redemptive purposes. (Amos 3:7) Bold Confidence, Humble Posture • “You can instruct Me” sounds startling. It is an idiom of bold approach, not an invitation to boss God. • The Lord welcomes candid prayer—as Abraham pleaded for Sodom (Genesis 18:22–33) and Moses for Israel (Exodus 32:11–14)—yet He remains sovereign. • True prayer holds both realities together: boldness in access (Hebrews 4:16) and reverence for His authority (Ecclesiastes 5:2). What This Teaches About Prayer • God initiates the conversation. Prayer begins with His word, not our ideas. • We are invited to ask specifically about the future, especially where His plan intersects our lives and the welfare of His people. • Honest questions are welcome; doubt cloaked in rebellion is not (Isaiah 45:9). • Prayer is a means for God to disclose His plan so we can cooperate with it, not a tool to bend Him to ours. • The more we inquire of Him, the more confidently we can act, knowing we have His guidance. Practical Takeaways for Today • When facing uncertainty, open Scripture first, then speak frankly: “Lord, show me Your ‘things to come’ in this situation.” • Journal revealed insights; test them against the Bible’s clear teaching. • Submit any perceived direction to mature believers for confirmation (Proverbs 11:14). • Expect God to unfold answers over time; persistence in prayer is part of the process (Luke 18:1). • Rest in His sovereignty—He will accomplish His “work of My hands” whether through surprising instruments like Cyrus or through ordinary means. Supporting Scriptures • Jeremiah 33:3 — “Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” • James 1:5 — “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God… and it will be given to him.” • John 16:13 — “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth… and will disclose to you what is to come.” |
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