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Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (ESV)
Recently, our family was visiting my wife's mother in Rochdale, England. Caroline decided to take the children and her mum on a shopping trip into nearby Manchester, leaving me at the house.
As I slurped my tea, I received a telephone call from Caroline. I could tell that she was anxious as she recounted how thirteen-year-old Sophia had managed to get herself separated from the rest of the family in the middle of the crowded shopping mall.
She asked for us to pray together over the telephone. So, we prayed for Sophia to be safe and for Jesus to be there, bringing peace and a quick resolution to the situation.
I know that I can ask Jesus, and I know that Jesus hears our prayers, because He calls His followers friends. As our Friend, Jesus does not always answer prayers in the manner or timing that we want, but we can always persist in hope.
Like the New Testament disciples, I have prayed for people and there has been no change. Sometimes, I pray for people and their petitions are answered right away. It is Jesus' kingdom. Being a control freak, it is tough for me not to know for certain beforehand how Jesus will answer my prayers for His intervention, but that is the way of things; it's called faith.
After I prayed with Caroline, I sensed the Holy Spirit being present to say that He was there with us at either end of the telephone. I knew not how the prayer would be answered, just that Jesus was there. Later, Caroline rang me to say that Sophia had done the right thing and made herself known at an information desk. Subsequently, the security guards escorted Caroline to Sophia and they continued to enjoy the day.
Sometimes, Jesus as Friend encourages me to know that I am loved as I walk with Him, meditate upon Him, and worship Him. Sometimes, when I am overly focused on life and the tasks in the moment, Jesus as Friend seems a distant reality, only because His presence is not the main focus. It is a tension that I live with, but I always know where my help comes from.
The heart of the matter is the answer to this question: How much faith or doubt is there in our relationship with Jesus when life throws us a curveball or when we find ourselves with something unknown?
Today, if our faith seems to be missing in action, let us ask Jesus, Who is always faithful, to meet with us where we are, in our doubts or confusion, to take us deeper into relationship, bringing His immeasurable love and peace with Him. He is just waiting for us to ask.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for being the One Whom we can trust in prayer to be with us and guide us always. As followers, we rejoice in Your unfailing love. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
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Amen, Rod.
Hello Rod. This is an excellent message; thank you.
Blessings.
Glad Sophia had the presence of mind to deal with the situation in a mature fashion. She must have good parents.
Thank you, Rod!
Our faithful and dependable Father can always be reached. We make the call, and He answers.
Dear Rod, that was a little scary, thank God for answered prayers, you obviously have trained her well for her to keep her cool and go to the information desk. Recently I have had answered prayers following surgery, when my blood pressure hit dangerous level, I remained calm, and knew who was watching over me. Prayers were answered and I am back home. God is good.
Thanks, Rod, for sharing about this situation happening to Sophia. The Lord’s hand was surely upon her, and she was safely reunited with her Mom. It is important that our faith remains strong when we reach out to Jesus in prayer and be patient for His answer. Sometimes we don’t get what we want instantly but the Lord’s timing and solution is always for the best.
Blessings for another of your reassuring writings.
Hi Rod,
We have never had the experience of “losing” one of our three children…so far that is. Now we have eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. So glad that Sophie was found safely.
Often, I think about those souls who do not have a faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. I do not consider myself a great Bible scholar or the best Christian in the world, but I do know that without that faith in Christ I would perish as a person.
Thank you once again for writing.
Hi Rod, what a great devotional!
Thank You.
Thank you, Rod. “He is just waiting for us to ask” — why don’t we do it more consistently?