Greetings to you, my friends!Thanks God for giving us this wonderful day! Thanks God for another opportunity to fill ourselves with His living word! Yesterday we found out that God answers to all our prayers when we remain in Him, fill ourselves with His word and let Him to lead us in our lives. Nevertheless, there are four possible God´s answers to the right prayer said by the right person.First answer – we pray and receive an immediate answer. It works this way in the life of newly born Christians, but not only. Also Peter received an immediate answer to his prayer. He called to the Lord for help when he started to drown, and the answer came immediately – Jesus stretched His hand to save Peter´s life.
«Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It’s a ghost!” and they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying “Cheer up! I AM! Don’t be afraid.” Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.” He said, “Come!” Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Мat.14:22-31).
Second answer – we pray and the answer comes with a delay. Sometimes God delays His answer to your prayer, so His will can be completed first.«We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.» (Rom 8:28).
The answer comes the same way in case with Lazarus. «Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister, Martha … The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick.” But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that God’s Son may be glorified by it.”… When therefore he heard that he was sick, he stayed two days in the place where he was … “Father, I thank you that you listened to me. I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude that stands around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” … He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Free him, and let him go.” Therefore many of the Jews, who came to Mary and saw what Jesus did, believed in him.» (John 11:1,3-4, 6, 41-42, 44-45).
Mary, Martha and Lazarus were close friends of Jesus. Once Lazarus had become ill they immediately notified Jesus pleading with Him to come and heal Lazarus. In many similar cases Jesus healed people immediately. But this time He stayed where He was for few more days, while Martha and Mary were so certain that Jesus would come and heal their brother before he dies. Meanwhile, things went different way, not the way people expected – Lazarus had died and stayed in the coffin for four days already, then Jesus came. So the answer came with delay, but it came. Jesus raised Lazarus from death and not just raised, Jesus also healed him – Lazarus died of illness but he was completely well when he was raised up from death. People already got used to see Jesus healing people, but Lazarus´ case was something different, something new and supernatural. Many of those who witnessed Lazarus resurrection became believers afterwards. That´s why the answer sometimes comes with delay, so the God´s will can be done complete and God can be glorified.Two remaining answers to our prayers will be highlighted tomorrow.May the Lord bless you today and give you wisdom! Rufus Adjiboye, pastor
