Caricatures of YAHUAH, both in secular venues and among some Believers, sometimes portray YAHUAH as a genie who is present to fulfill all our wishes and desires. Such teaching may talk of prayer as essentially a formula to get YAHUAH to do what you want Him to do. The view of YAHUAH as a genie portrays Him as a servant to us. But YAHUAH is not a genie. YAHUAH is not the servant of humans. He is not magical or mystical, bound to our whims if only we get the right formula.
Rather, YAHUAH is creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16). Humans are His creation, made in His image, for relationship with Him, and for His glory (Genesis 1:26–27). But due to sin (going against YAHUAH's ways), we are naturally separated from Him (Romans 3:23; 6:23). There is nothing we can do to solve this problem on our own (Romans 5:6; Ephesians 2:1–3). But YAHUAH made a way for us to be reconciled to Him and saved—He sent Yashusha Ha’Mashiach our Savior, to live a perfect life, die as atonement for our sins, and be raised back to life victorious over sin and death (John 3:16–18; Acts 4:12; Romans 5:6–11; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8; Ephesians 2:4–10). YAHUAH is certainly not a genie! He is supreme over everything. A Relationship with Him is a privilege granted to us by His grace and received through faith in Yahusha Ha’Mashiach (Romans 5:1–5; Ephesians 2:8–10; Hebrews 4:14–16; 10:19–23).
If belief in YAHUAH is presented as nothing but wish fulfillment from a genie, those who choose to believe in such a alahiym are sure to end up disappointed. While the secular world or some cultural Christianity may portray YAHUAH as a means to get what we want in life, the message we see in the Scriptures is quite different. YAHUAH is not a genie.
When the disciples expressed their belief in YAHUSHA as the Son of ALAHIYM, "YAHUSHA answered them, 'Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have Shalom. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world'" (John 16:31–33). Similarly, Paul tells Timothy, "Indeed, all who desire to live a set apart life in YAHUSHA HA’MASHIACH will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). YAHUSHA said that we are blessed when we are persecuted; He was also persecuted (Matthew 5:10; John 15:18).
The Scriptures not only talks about suffering as a reality for those who follow MASHIACH —something that would not be the case were YAHUAH a genie—it talks about having joy in the midst of suffering. Paul wrote to the Romans, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have Shalom with YAHUAH through YAHUSHA HA’MASHIACH. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of YAHUAH. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because YAHUAH's love has been poured into our hearts through the Ruach Ha'Qodesh who has been given to us" (Romans 5:1–5). James said to "count it all joy" when facing trials (James 1:2–4). Peter similarly talks about having joy in the great reality of salvation even in the midst of trials, and the positive effect that trials can have (1 Peter 1:3–9).
Romans 8:28–30 declares, "And we know that for those who love YAHUAH all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." YAHUAH does work for the good of His people, but He is not a genie. Our ultimate good is to be conformed to the image of MASHIACH. YAHUAH is working to sanctify those who are His, not to fulfill our wishes and desires (Philippians 1:6; 2:12–13). Again, the Scriptures never presents YAHUAH as a genie.
As our Father, YAHUAH does bless us and He loves to care and provide for us. He is aware of every need we have: "But if YAHUAH so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of YAHUAH and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:30–33). We can trust YAHUAH. Those who are His children through YAHUSHA HA’MASHIACH are invited to present our requests to Him in prayer (Matthew 6:5–15; Philippians 4:6–9). He knows us and cares for us (1 Peter 5:6–7). The Scriptures portrays YAHUAH as holy, righteous, just, sovereign creator, merciful, abounding in grace, and as a loving Father. YAHUAH is not a genie bound to the whims of humans.
What does belief in YAHUAH include? Here are just a few things:
Eternal life (John 3:16)
The right to become a child of YAHUAH (John 1:12)
Salvation (Acts 16:31)
Giving up your life as it was (Galatians 2:20)
Joy, peace, and hope (Romans 15:13)
A requirement to walk by faith (Hebrews 11:6)
Sacrificing your own interests and selfish desires for the sake of MASHIACH (Luke 9:23)
Righteousness (Genesis 15:6)
A loving relationship with YAHUAH (1 John 4:7–8)
YAHUAH is a loving Father who delights in giving good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11), but He is not a genie in a bottle present for our wish fulfillment. And, many times, His blessings look different than what we expect. Belief in YAHUAH is far beyond having wishes granted by a genie; it is an adventure that directs the whole course of your life: "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:8–9).
Don't talk, Just listen.
Us:
Evening and morning and at noon I complain and moan, And He hears my voice.
Tehillim (Psalms) 55:17 TS2009
HIM:
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Yoḥanan (John) 10:27 TS2009
And יהוה called Shemu’ĕl, and he answered, “Here I am!” He then ran to Ěli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call – lie down again.” So he went and lay down. And יהוה again called, “Shemu’ĕl!” And Shemu’ĕl arose and went to Ěli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he answered, “My son, I did not call – lie down again.” Now Shemu’ĕl did not yet know יהוה, and the word of יהוה was not yet revealed to him. And יהוה called Shemu’ĕl again the third time, and he arose and went to Ěli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Ěli understood that יהוה had called the youth. So Ěli said to Shemu’ĕl, “Go, lie down. And it shall be, if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, יהוה, for Your servant hears.’ ” And Shemu’ĕl went and lay down in his place. And יהוה came and stood and called as at other times, “Shemu’ĕl! Shemu’ĕl!” And Shemu’ĕl answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
Shemu’ĕl Aleph (1 Samuel) 3:4-10 TS2009
Isn't that a beautiful way to respond to Abba? The contemporary approach is, “My name is Jimmy, and I’ll need all You’ll gimme.” So tragic, how far we’ve drifted! The key to effectual and fervent praying (James 5:16) is your attitude; learning to listen for the voice of the Ruach Ha'Kodesh with purpose to obey. I’ve never heard the ALAHIYM speak audibly, nor has He sent me an e-mail, or a tweet, but His communication at the spirit–level arrives crystal clear.
...ALAHIYM told Ezekiel;
“And I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the breach (GAP) before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it – but I did not find one!
Yehezqĕl (Ezekiel) 22:30 TS2009
While this verse applies to a specific era in Yasheral, the principle remains in effect. As a prayer warrior, you stand in the gap between an unregenerate soul and eternal damnation. Operation in this mode requires you to see others, yes even your enemies, as souls on their way to eternity, not your enemies. They are your mission field! Don’t forget; There, but for the grace of ALAHIYM, go you!
NOT MY WORDS, HIS WORD!