Good Morning All,
I have spent great time thinking about answered prayers over the last few weeks, especially those in our life with ailments and personal struggles. It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord, no matter what the situation, He takes care of things. It may be in the final hours (humanly speaking), but He has always come through. It reminds me of the story of Lazarus, (John 11) who being a friend of Jesus', died. When Mary and Martha (The sisters of Lazarus) came to Jesus made said: “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”
The fact of the matter Jesus waited two days to depart from His location after finding out that Lazarus was even sick. When He went into Bethany, Lazarus had been in the grave four days. One would look at this with human eyes and think “wow, he wasn’t in a hurry, he must not have cared for the man”. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters (for that matter we know that Jesus loved the world, for He died for it), so why did He wait?
Friends, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has never been late He is always on time, but never in a hurry. So often we equate the proper reaction with that of rush, swiftness and rapidity. We pray, asking the Lord for the answer and expect it to be in front of us when we open our eyes. Grant it, every prayer is answered and sometimes the answer is just ‘no’, but the Lord knows what is best for each and every one of us. It is in His due time that our prayers will be answered according to His will. It may not be exactly what we ‘want’, but it will be what we need.
When you pray today, tonight and tomorrow remember these two facts: The Lord will answer the prayer according to His will and do so in His time; so whatever befalls is sure to bring Him glory. But also, look back today and search out the already apparent answered prayers. Some were your prayers and some were others, but the answer came and a blessing was received. Many of our blessings are right before us on a daily basis (i.e. a safe ride to and from work, employment, good health, meals etc.). We take these things for granted when all the while it is the Lord, simply answering a prayer that may have gone up to His throne twenty years ago. Our lives can be changed in one second or less; sickness can strike any one of us in the blink of an eye. All that we knew the moment before is placed on hold until we re-learn to live in a new state of functionality. These are the things I think about daily, how the Lord has opted to allow me one more day, to function easier than the alternative. He has given me the opportunity for this very day to be blessing to others, to answer those prayers that are laid at His feet…Just one more day to operate in this life, the Lord has allowed me to ‘continue as is’.
May we give thanks today, for what we have – the answered prayers of our life here and now. After thanksgiving, then move forward with other requests… now wait, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
He is always there, He is always on time and He will always answer. Have a wonderful day.
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
No comments:
Post a Comment