2:22 – Do You Understand the Words that Are Coming Out of My Mouth?

#faithbites #faithjourney words

I try to be a simple guy. (Who am I kidding, but work with me here). I ask someone something or tell someone something and I expect a response. One of my biggest pet peeves is when I have to say the same thing two or three times and nothing. Then I say, is that a yes or no. Sometimes I get, well I shook my head. Or uh huh. UGH.

When you take the time to involve someone, ask for help ,share information, the least you could do is get an audible response.

For me, prayer is like that. Many people complain because they don’t think God gives them a sign or they can’t hear them. Like with my situation, the answer is there, you may just have to look a bit harder or listen a bit differently.

Scripture

• And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. – 1 John 5:14-15
• Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. – Isaiah 65:24
• But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. – Micah 7:7

Reflection

Today’s verses are but three of many where God says if we have confidence, he will answer our prayers. The Isaiah verse really rang true for me. My god is answering before I even ask him and when I am talking he is listening. He knows what I need before I ask. When I try to pray and the words fail me, he is there.

The thing that we need to be keen to is that he may not answer them in the ways we think. We may pray for money but he may answer with an unexpected lower bill or a check back from a bill we overpaid or a friend bringing over dinner. It may not be the money we ask, but it is helping us lower our expenses. This is but one small example.

In my dissertation crises, I called out many times asking for direction. He didn’t come down from on high and tell me to finish it. He provided me with sympathetic and emphatic people to help me talk through my problems and help me come to a solution. God answered. I just needed to listen to him.

Just like when I think people aren’t listening to me and they really are, God is like that. We just need to listen.

Charge

Do you feel that God isn’t answering your prayers? Are you calling into the night and not getting an answer? Maybe you are but you aren’t seeing or hearing his answer. Take a minute to look at the whole situation, he may have already answered you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for answering my prayers. I may not know how or when you answer them but you do. Give me the knowledge to understand your timeline, your words, and your actions so when you do answer them, I can see it and give thanks. Give me the sight to see the whole picture and always know you hear me when I call out to you. In your name, Amen.