When I went to Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria about two years ago, I paid a courtesy call on the traditional ruler of the land. While we waited for his arrival in the hall, a palace official had to take us through a few protocols. Firstly, he requested that we all put off our phones. It would be a mark of disrespect for the phone to ring while the king is talking. Their culture also demands that as the king makes his approach into the hall, we would be in a seated position but clapping our hands. No one raised any objections, but complied. There are established protocols for approaching God. One of them is gratitude. Psalm 100 spells this out. We are to enter his gate with thanksgiving, and His court with praise.

Coming to God requires inner persuasion about His person and ability…When you approach God, it must be with absolute persuasion that He is able.

Another requisite protocol is to have a pure motive. “Tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The people of Israel have set up idols in their hearts and fallen into sin, and then they go to a prophet asking for a message. So I, the Lord, will give them the kind of answer their great idolatry deserves.” Ezekiel 14:4 NLT. What this is saying in effect is that God cannot be mocked. Finally, faith must come into the mix. Coming to God requires inner persuasion about His person and ability. This is the import of our text. A lot of people do not experience any significant change in their situations because they put God in the same class as other people they have tried for help. They come to try, not as unto the living God who is able to do all things. When you approach God, it must be with absolute persuasion that He is able.