Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Sept 22, 2011 10:59:36 GMT -5
Here's Today's Devotional from The Vine...
Continue In Prayer
He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up. - Luke 18:1
Many people get discouraged in praying because they don't get an answer straight away. First, know this, that God always hears our prayers when they are sincere, and that He will always send an answer although it may not always be the answer we are hoping for. He never despises nor disregards the cry of one of His children; but sometimes for wise reasons He delays His answer. Perhaps it's not the right time. God's plans are far-reaching and He works slowly -- not because God is slow, but because everything has its own time. Look at Joseph in Egypt - a slave, then a prisoner. No doubt he was praying every day for release; and he may have thought at times that the answer was a long time coming. But when it came, he could see that one reason for delay was that all things might be first set in place. It took years to prepare the answer that came at last with such blessing.
Sometimes the reason for God's delay may be to draw out our faith and to increase our need of Him. The story of the Syrophenician woman illustrates this (Matthew 15:21-28). At first Jesus “answered her not a word;” but it was for her sake that He kept her waiting. She received a far better answer at last than she could have received at first. Suppose she had “fainted” after her first apparent rejection, think what she would have lost.
No doubt thousands of prayers are never answered because men give-up when God delays. Perhaps you too have lost hope before the answer came. A little longer patient perseverance would have brought you a great reward. After spending thousands of dollars in drilling for oil, the operator became discouraged and sold the land for a bargain. The new owner started the drill, and in six hours found a flowing well. We see what “fainting” cost the first owner. Many Christians lose heart just when the answer is about to be given.
Apply This To Your Life Today...
The lesson today is "Don't give up!". Keep praying faithfully, believing that God will come through for you at the right time.
www.thevinetoday.com/devotional/cya/0922
Continue In Prayer
He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up. - Luke 18:1
Many people get discouraged in praying because they don't get an answer straight away. First, know this, that God always hears our prayers when they are sincere, and that He will always send an answer although it may not always be the answer we are hoping for. He never despises nor disregards the cry of one of His children; but sometimes for wise reasons He delays His answer. Perhaps it's not the right time. God's plans are far-reaching and He works slowly -- not because God is slow, but because everything has its own time. Look at Joseph in Egypt - a slave, then a prisoner. No doubt he was praying every day for release; and he may have thought at times that the answer was a long time coming. But when it came, he could see that one reason for delay was that all things might be first set in place. It took years to prepare the answer that came at last with such blessing.
Sometimes the reason for God's delay may be to draw out our faith and to increase our need of Him. The story of the Syrophenician woman illustrates this (Matthew 15:21-28). At first Jesus “answered her not a word;” but it was for her sake that He kept her waiting. She received a far better answer at last than she could have received at first. Suppose she had “fainted” after her first apparent rejection, think what she would have lost.
No doubt thousands of prayers are never answered because men give-up when God delays. Perhaps you too have lost hope before the answer came. A little longer patient perseverance would have brought you a great reward. After spending thousands of dollars in drilling for oil, the operator became discouraged and sold the land for a bargain. The new owner started the drill, and in six hours found a flowing well. We see what “fainting” cost the first owner. Many Christians lose heart just when the answer is about to be given.
Apply This To Your Life Today...
The lesson today is "Don't give up!". Keep praying faithfully, believing that God will come through for you at the right time.
www.thevinetoday.com/devotional/cya/0922