Hebrews 11:1-6 – “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old gained approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” NASB

We are facing the need for a miracle in our lives. It’s been a three-plus-year battle, does that mean that God has denied our request?  Does it mean that we were praying outside the will of God?  Does that mean that it was not meant to be?  You could conclude those things, or you could conclude that possibly God, who is not limited by our clock or calendar, has a different timeframe and plan in mind. 

I choose the latter because I fully believe that we have prayed within the guidelines of the Word of God, in obedience to that Word, and therefore within the scope of The Will of God.  We have an assurance that God is our provider, protector, and source, have hoped for the things we have asked, and are convinced that He has heard our prayers.  We do not see the fulfillment Yet, but as the patriarchs of old, we are Looking and standing in Faith knowing He is our Reward. 

What should we conclude when the miracle does not come at the time, we asked for it or seems to be delayed or denied?  Possibly nothing other than rest in the reality that it is in God’s hands. We should remain faithful and resolute in our commitment to Him. We should continue in our obedience to Him, and maintain our confidence in Him.  If the Holy Spirit reveals that, as James said, we have asked amiss or for wrong purposes, it would be time to run to the foot of the Cross.  It would be time to ask for God’s mercy and for the Holy Spirit to correct our thinking. 

However, I believe it is imperative that we continue to cry out to God in persistent prayer.  I do not live in a ‘Que Sera, Sera’ whatever will be will be world.  I believe there are purpose and power in prayer and that prayer changes people and as a result, things.  If prayer has no purpose why did Jesus spend so much time encouraging it?  If prayer does not produce results why did He tell us to prayer with importunity? 

Our problem is that we try to force God into our ‘microwave world mentality’ and coerce Him to follow our ‘calendars’, ‘clocks’, and ‘schedules’, and He Will Not Do That!  He is God and He will do things His way, in His time, and under His conditions.  You can’t bribe Him, coerce Him, force Him, manipulate Him, or cajole Him into doing something.  He is the Shepherd; we are the Sheep.  He is the Teacher; we are the Students.  He is the Infinite; we are the Finite.  Therefore, instead of fretting about our ‘timelines’ and ‘schedules’, we should and will Seek His Face!  If there is delay it may be nothing more than God following His own timetable rather than denial.

Be encouraged as you go through this day!  Blessings abundantly!