In God's Timing

Have you ever prayed about something and prayed about it and nothing happened and you gave up? Me too. See I had assumed that because the prayer had not been answered in my timing that the answer must have been a no.
This week though, I heard something that changed my thinking a bit. It all starts in the book of Mark chapter 5

"21 Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him."

The very next section kind seems to change gears a bit but it is still apart of the story. We pick up at verse 25:

"25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." 29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" 31 But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, Who touched Me?' " 32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."

Notice here that this lady had suffered for 12 years. After all this woman had been though and it seemed that no one could help her - what Faith it was for her to go to Jesus- to know that just touching Him would heal her.

Ok please stay with me because there is a really important lesson in this story.

"35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." 37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping." 40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." 42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement."

So the woman suffered for 12 years. How old was this little girl? 12 years old. Of course she had not been suffering as long - but God still healed her. When I noticed this a light bulb went off - and I realize that sometimes God chooses to answer our prayers right away and sometimes the answer is wait. Of course, some of the answers to our prayers will be NO and that is when what ever we are praying for is not part of His will for our lives.

In the case of the woman above - had God healed her earlier - the glory would have went to the Dr's or what ever other things she had tried. But in God's perfect timing she was healed and the glory went to Him.

So when we are praying about something that we believe to be God's will - we are to continue to pray and believe that God will answer our prayer and in His timing He will do just that. :o)