“Stretched-out-ed-ly”

God is love. Ever since the “Decision” of Creator God to create His human, in the two of His most decisively-loving acts to us, there has been barely a thread of response realized in the creature. And yet when realized in the few responsive ones, the slightest crumb of awareness expressed itself among humans in noticeable intensity. There is no deserved English word: earnest, intense, without ceasing? Torrey speaks of the best as “stretched-out-ed-ly.”

Three places this word is used in the NT, and all three are strategically placed in three eras of humankind. Representedly, the human soul was never intended to be flatfooted toward his God!

Acts 26:7 – “To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake…” If we realize the magnitude toward beloved Israel, there was a remnant in the Jewish heart that never rested knowing in them a pull toward His promise. “Night and day,” with night expressed first. Even the sleeping hours knew no rest for the pulsating people knowing existence had a higher call!

Luke 22:44 – “And being in agony He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood…” The Atoner Himself in the hour of blasting a dotted crumb response open into a secured path of man relating to his God: never could be known without the greatest of pressure of the spiritual world pushing through mere human cells and pores.

Acts 12:5 “…but earnest prayer was being made by the church to God for him.” We are now on the side of the Promise realized! Now, human was found! Is there a leaning back? NOW in the immeasurable opportunity offered of something NEVER known, the Early Church, through this type of unbridled praying, equaled this same intensity of other eras. Yet, now is experienced Desire seeking the highest, establishing His Church and praying for His apostle on the way to extinction.

If we find ourselves outside this stretched-out-ed-ly response to our God, let us please take great inventory of the Truth we are living and the Holy Spirit within.

Before the Promise, in the Promise’s fulfillment, and after the blessed Promise realized, the response of humans was never intended to be flatfooted toward our God.

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