Thirty Seconds Or Less

Proverbs 21:5 – The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. (KJV)

Ecclesiastes 5:2 – Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. (KJV)

About ten years ago, a fast-food company prided itself on its ability to deliver the food to the customer's home in less than half an hour, or the order was free. One regular customer used to see it as some sort of accomplishment on those occasions when the delivery person didn't quite make it on time, and had to honour the company policy.

Having to make the food and deliver it anywhere within city limits within thirty minutes seems a pretty fair response time. However, recently, on the radio, an ad for another fast-food chain touted the line that if your food isn't ready within thirty seconds in their drive-through, you get it free of charge. One wonders if perhaps it would be eaten in that amount of time, as well.

It's no wonder then, in this fast-food, fast-paced world of ours, that we expect answers to our prayers to be delivered immediately, "within 30 seconds or less".

Few of the problems we experience were created in such a short time, yet we forget, and we expect instant gratification. We need to remember that God knows our every need, and that He answers our every prayer as He sees it needs to be answered — and when.

Prayer: God of grace and mercy, may we remember to ask for patience and understanding when we place our prayers with You. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.