Unheard daily prayers left unanswered. Unfulfilled promises. Silence.
Ever felt that way?
Not true of course. But far too often hope loses to doubt, making holding on impossible.
U-N-T-I-L . . .
We remember, or learn, God has been preparing our answer the whole time, so it will arrive on time. His timingis perfect.
- He hears us
- He never quits working
- He knows our needs before we even ask
I’ll Never Forget
As I announced, “Let’s pray,” the door at the end of the long hallway opened and a haggardly looking couple entered. They were just in time to eat at our nightly feeding ministry.
After partaking and helping clean up, they sat and shared their almost unbelievable story with us.
In Indiana, Jeff and Linda threw their possessions into their van. With their tax refund, they headed toward Texas to start life over with family.
Two weeks in, the van broke down, swallowing all but $30 of their money.
Jeff suggested, “Let’s put it in the gas tank and find a town to stay where I can find some work to get us back.”
Linda agreed, even though they didn’t want to go back, and wanted to start over somewhere new.
At the gas station, an advertisement blared from a Baptist church in Joplin, Missouri. Jeff knew that town was just ahead and should be able to help.
Starting the engine, he punched their number. To his surprise, they didn’t personally offer assistance, but directed them to a church in Baxter Springs, Kansas who offered hot meals on weeknights.
While penning Trinity Worship Center’s address, Linda spotted the exit to Baxter Springs.
Within minutes, Jeff and Linda arrived, soon learning this small church also provided lodging until they could get back on their feet, which took two months. By then, they had accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Knowing their need, God had prepared the answer to arrive right on time! Not one minute sooner. Not one hour later, but ON TIME!
Their story had reminded me of the sermon my husband preached weeks earlier where he used “Jonah and the Whale” to illustrate this point.
Jonah’s Illustration
God chose the prophet Jonah to preach repentance in Nineveh, to a people Jonah despised. God knew Jonah would refuse, and flee, but God had a plan.
Jonah boarded a ship going the opposite direction. Raging seas soon tossed gigantic waves against the ship. Sailors searched, asking everyone, “Who caused this?”
Is it possible Jonah thought, “Oops. I’ve been caught! God knows where I am.”
His stomach probably churned, but not from sea sickness. Nonetheless, guilt overtook, making him feel deserving of death, for he shouted, “Throw me overboard.”
Flying through the air, he might have feared drowning and regretted not obeying.
Whoosh! A forceful spray of water blinded him. he really didn’t see it coming.
No hard surface awaited him. He didn’t sink. Instead, he:
- felt air and dampness
- saw darkness
- smelled fish and seaweed
Before processing what had transpired, tight muscles guided him through a short tunnel into a large cavern. He stood on a smooth, uneven floor, hunched in an acidic substance inches high. The walls didn’t appear straight either.
For three days, God and him had quite the chat, resulting in Jonah’s understanding he was given a second chance and needed to obey God’s command.
God’s Preparation
The timing for A great fish popping up at the exact moment and place Jonah was being thrown overboard can’t be a coincidence. Such speed and timing require precision.
God performed a miraculous feat!
Besides the perfect timing between the whale and Jonah’s meeting in the air, ponder the whale’s size and its odds of being there.
From my research, most whales dive deep, or are in secure areas during storms, and don’t surface feed. When they come up to breathe, the do so between waves with their mouths closed.
For this encounter to take place, both were born and stayed alive.
The whale couldn’t be:
- eaten for breakfast
- become diseased
- harpooned by an alien.
Jonah had to:
- avoid serious illness and harm that could cause death
- had to be called and trained as a prophet
- avoided Marriage or other demands that could tie him down
For Jeff and Linda, God had to bring Steve and Jena Fellers together for a ministry to be in operation at the precise time Jeff and Linda needed food, shelter, and to hear the Gospel.
The right church advertisement had to play at the precise moment they were on empty for them to learn about the Community Dinner at Trinity Worship Center.
The interesting part . . .
No one knew how this Baptist church in Joplin was aware of this small church or feeding ministry.
Even to start the ministry, God had to bring Steve and I together with him in Texas and me in Kansas
- He had to become a carpenter and choose to move to Kansas.
- I had to become a teacher before going on disability due to my progressive eye disease.”
- I had to hire a contractor to build a house with some adaptations, who hired Steve.
- We had to fall in love and marry.
- We had to become pastors of Trinity Worship Center and start a feeding ministry.
Your answer is on its way!
Fulfilled Promises
Every promise God gives comes to pass – just not always in the way we think or believe. He has a plan and purpose.
Exodus 23:28-20 illustrates this well.
The Israelites were heading to their Promised Land through the desert. It was a short journey, and excitement was in the air.
God informed Moses He would go ahead to drive out their enemies, before adding He wouldn’t do it in a single year.
Disappointment and confusion fell before God explained why.
The land would become desolate and wild animals would take over with the enemies. defeated at once. Therefore, God would defeat them little by little until the Israelites increased their population to be able to handle the promise.
When that stretches out, we forget. We want what we want – when we want it.
We believe we’re ready to handle the promise God has given us, or the answer to our prayers, when we might be asking for something we’re not quite ready for.
We’re so good at handling things ourselves – that’s why we were praying in the first place. Right?
Let’s trust God completely. Our needs will arrive right on time!
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