Help Is On The Way

Imagine yourself needing a miracle.

Our lives can take some unexpected turns. Normally, everything can seem to be in order as we victoriously proceed from challenge to challenge, applying wisdom and a healthy dose of faith to our everyday circumstances. Although no one reasonably expects a trouble-free life, many problems seem quickly to disappear after we make one correction or another.

But in an instant, things in our lives can change to a degree that nothing seems to work. At certain times, neither the king’s horses nor the king’s men can seem to be able to get our fragile lives back to normal. The shock of life’s unexpected disruptions can later give way to anxiety and despair when trouble is unwilling to loose its hold on our lives.

What about prayer? God’s people are taught that prayer changes things. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

Even when we are at fault in our disruptions, we are taught to confess our sin, to ask for what we need, to believe God’s promises and to receive His blessings. We are taught that God is faithful, and that He will not withhold any good thing from His people.

We are taught to walk by faith, not by sight. We are taught to trust in Him, and lean not on our own understanding. We are taught to wait on Him, and to pray without ceasing.

Nevertheless, imagine yourself having prayed, believed, walked by faith, and waited – but still needing a miracle. These are the times that try men’s and women’s souls.

At these times, we learn things about God that are unknowable when we speedily proceed victoriously from challenge to challenge. It’s easy to sing: “Oh, How I Love Jesus” when problems quickly disappear from our radar screen. It’s entirely a different kind of love affair with the Lord when a problem continues to disrupt our lives.

Love waits. God has miracles that can take awhile to develop before our natural eyes can see them.

Love trusts. Some of God’s miracles require us to stand fast in faith even when our troubles seem only to worsen, rather than to disappear.

Love edifies. Some of God’s miracles require us to change our entrenched ways and thoughts.

Love forgives. God’s miracles may require us to forget what is behind, strain to what is ahead, and press on solely toward God’s high calling in Christ Jesus.

Imagine God converting your seemingly-hopeless detour into a voyage through the infinite dimensions of His sovereignty and love. Imagine God using dreaded circumstances and people as agents of your deliverance. Imagine God preparing a table for you in the presence of your enemies.

Never forget that God has miracles for people whose troubles haven’t gone away in only a few days. Read your bible: you’ll find more of those people than the ones whose trials and temptations lasted only momentarily. God’s goodness and mercy are worth the wait.