BH Bulletin - Monday 3 August 2020

Thought for the Day by Simon James-Morse ​(Minister Goldstone Church)

Trusting God’s Timing
 
“And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” (Revelation 5:8)
 
Sometimes when we pray, it seems that it takes God a long time to answer. But on other occasions, the answer to our prayers come so quickly that our jaws drop in amazement.
If we are honest, there are times when we don’t believe that our prayers could be answered so quickly.
In Acts 12, James, one of Jesus’ disciples had been beheaded, and Peter had been arrested by Herod.
Then we read, “the church was earnestly praying to God for him [Peter].” (Acts 12:5).
Miraculously, God answered these prayers immediately, sent an angel into the prison, and the doors were literally opened for Peter to walk out of jail.
Peter then went to the house where the church was presumably praying for his release. He knocked at the door and a girl named Rhoda answered.
Seeing that the answer to their prayers had arrived, she went back to the prayer meeting to tell them that Peter was at the door.
It is at this point that my imagination goes into overdrive, and I picture a conversation when Rhoda returns to the prayer room:
“Err, excuse me everyone…”
“Shhh, we’re praying. ‘Lord, please deliver Peter….’ ”
“But I have something important to say.”
“Quiet. Stop disturbing the meeting. We’re praying for Peter.”
“But that’s my point!”
“What?”
“Peter is outside! He’s standing at the door.”
[Mad scramble for the door]
Significantly, these ‘great men of faith’ did not seem to believe that God could answer their prayer. It took a while, but eventually they let Peter in.
It is ironic that God could get Peter out of prison, but Peter could not get himself into a prayer meeting!
Revelation 5:8 tells us that God hears and stores our prayers in golden, precious bowls. No prayer is wasted; each one is carefully noted by God and answered at just the right moment.
 
Dear Lord, teach us to pray with the expectation that You hear us, and that You will answer according to Your timetable and Your purposes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.