“Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them.”
Psalm 22:2-4
Last year I started reading the One Year Bible on the YouVersion Bible App on my phone. It’s a wonderful way to stay in God’s Word. There is a passage from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs every day. Theoretically, you will have read the entire Bible in one year. But, thankfully, there is a “Catch Me Up” button for when you get behind! I like to think of that as the GRACE button.
I read the above passage from Psalms immediately after reading in Exodus where the children of Israel had been mistreated by the Egyptians. They had been forced into slave labor with back breaking work day and night. Perhaps they thought that God had forgotten about them and His covenant with their forefathers. Perhaps they were praying desperately for some relief of the burdens too heavy for them to bear. But Psalm 22 tells us they trusted in God and He rescued them.
Sometimes it really does feel like God doesn’t hear our cries because it seems that He’s not answering. So many times we want God to answer our prayers in the way we have planned out, not according to His plan.
Psalm 116 tells us that God bends down to listen to our prayers. Moses had no idea he was the answer to the Israelite’s prayers. He just encountered our Holy God in the burning bush. God told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people … I have heard their cries … I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them.”
God’s answer to our prayers isn’t always what we would expect. He may be moving mountains to come to your aid or calling someone from another country to come relieve your suffering. He may be opening a new door as an answer to your prayer for something completely unrelated, because He sees the BIG picture and has your best interest and His glory at heart.
God went to a man in another country, to a fugitive from justice, to answer the prayers of His people. And, Moses didn’t go right away. He protested God’s plan! First, God had to work in his heart before He could use him to answer their prayers.
God works in our lives and the lives of others to bring about answered prayer in a way that brings Him honor and glory. He is not slow. God’s timing and plans are perfect.
Praise to the One who is working ALL things together for the good of those that love Him.
His servant and yours,
Paula
The weekly devotion is sent to our sweet friends and Generous God givers! And don’t forget . . . BSSYP (Be Sweet & Say Your Prayers).