The Answer That Came Late

The Answer That Came Late

Pastor Vincent - 24 October 2013

Pray To Receive Transcending Power

Do you like to pray? Are you always bringing your problems and heart's most concerned to God, wanting to receive answers from Him? Do you often find that the spirit remains unchanged even after praying, and you find it pointless to continue praying? Actually, we often pray with the wrong focus and according to how we feel. Man is created by God and only when we meditate on the Words that gives life that we will experience transformation in the spirit. Prayer has to start from the truth, and only when you look into the words can you receive answers in life. And a person who enjoys prayer (communion with God) is truly one who does not pray out of habits but rather, she wakes up each day realizing that she needs to pray for she needs God. This is humility - her spirit is teachable, she hears the loving voice of God and she learns to trust God and follow His guidance. Word and prayer go hand in hand, know the word and in your prayers, confirm the word until it becomes your second nature - when the word is in your sub-consciousness, you are in a state of continued prayer. Man is created by God and only when we meditate on the Words that gives life that we will experience transformation in the spirit. Prayer has to start from the truth, and only when you look into the words can you receive answers in life. And a person who enjoys prayer (communion with God) is truly one who does not pray out of habits but rather, she wakes up each day realizing that she needs to pray for she needs God. This is humility - her spirit is teachable, she hears the loving voice of God and she learns to trust God and follow His guidance. May the Lord give us breakthrough in our prayer life.

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The Answer That Came Late


Waiting is usually agonizing for most people. And often when we are made to wait, we tend to feel that God has singled us out for this unwanted process and we always ask, “Why me, Lord? How long, O Lord?” Yet, waiting is a frequent lesson observed in the Bible. In fact, “wait” could be the most precious answer God has given us. For during the wait, we are forced to confront this question: “What is our chief treasure and joy?” Is what we are waiting for more than God Himself”? If our chief joy lies in the final outcome at the end of the wait, then we will surely be miserable during the wait; but if our highest delight is in the Lord, who is present with us even right now, our hearts will find strength as we wait.  


 Verses to read:
<Gen 21:1-7>


1. The Lord did just as He had promised.

  • Faithful.
  • Did the impossible.
  • God will make us laugh, eventually.

2. But it takes time…

1) Understand what God does in the waiting process.

  • Repeatedly affirms His promise.
  • Waits till all human factors failed.

***We are most concerned about the outcome, but what God values more is the process of moulding the recipient.

  • Wants us to desire God more than a son [or any other desire].

***Something actually happens when nothing seems to be happening.

  • Before the most important answer comes, there needs to be better preparation.

***“Wait” could be the most precious answer God gives us. The wait can make us cherish God more than cherishing a particular outcome. 

2) Our response during the wait.

  • Continue to wait for God, even if nothing or the opposite of what we hope for happens.
  • Jesus said, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” <Jn 5:17>
  • Our faith in His goodness today can help us trust His faithfulness tomorrow.
  • Let our waiting be a testimony.
  • Give thanks that God is a “waiting” God.
  • Confirm little graces >>> restore greater faith.
  • Seek out what God wants us to submit.
  • <Ps 118:24> This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. [ESV]
  • Do not take shortcuts.

***What is our chief treasure and joy?

***Is what we are waiting for more than God Himself?


3. Our response after receiving the long-awaited answer is important.

  • Obedience.
  • Persistent trust in God.

Reflections:

  • Share your experience in your waiting process. How do you sustain your faith and hope?
  • How have you confirmed God’s work even when things appear contrary to God’s truth/promises?

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Preacher Hui Jun
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Huijun serves as Secretary of The Blessed RUN Ministries. She is also the Preacher at The Life Church and Missions (Singapore). She graduated from Singapore Bible College and currently lives in Singapore with her husband, Chengji.

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