My Timing? My Way? Thankfully No!

Habakkuk 2:3 – For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

When your child throws a tantrum, insisting that you give them that particular toy just then, what is the response of the loving and responsible parent? A resounding NO! Giving in to the child’s whim at that time would not be good for the child or even more that particular thing may not be good for her. Now that is something that you as a parent know, though the child may not always understand! How much more our heavenly Father!

Does God answer prayer? Of course, He does. Does He always answer the way we want? Thankfully NO! Do we always understand the ways in which He works? Not necessarily! But that’s OK!

You and I don’t always have to understand how or why things happen the way they do. Our job, as the familiar song goes, is to simply, Trust and obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

We trust God for who He is, for what we know of Him to be true. We trust Him, knowing that He is our loving heavenly Father. We trust Him because He is in sovereign control of your life and mine. We trust Him because we have experienced His faithfulness over the past years in our lives. We trust Him because we don’t know what is best for us, but He always does.

The Lord’s answer will definitely come in His time and in His way. The Lord always answers prayers but often in ways that are very different from what we expect (Isaiah 55:9). Though the packaging is many a time different from what we may want, His answer is always the best for us. The Lord’s ways are way better than what you and I could ever ask or imagine and this powerful poem says it perfectly.

I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all, most richly blessed.
– Author Unknown

God loves us too much to be curtailed and limited by our prayer. He answers in ways immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20). So, would you trust our Ever Present God who listens when we call today, to answer your prayer, in His way and in His time?

Dear Lord, I trust that You will answer my prayer, in your perfect time and your ways which are the best for me.

1. Have you ever experienced a time when God answered your prayers in a way that was different from what you expected? How did you react, and what did you learn from that experience?
2. Reflect on a situation in your life where you desperately wanted something but didn’t receive it. How did this situation ultimately shape your perspective on God’s timing and His plans for you?
3. Are there moments when you find it challenging to trust God’s timing and surrender your own desires? What steps can you take to strengthen your faith in His wisdom and sovereignty?

---