Does it seem like God has forgotten you?

There are several things in christianity that do not make sense without faith. There are several times when we have to blindly trust the Lord, although His will goes against everything we know as true and rational. Worse still, how do you reconcile unanswered prayers and unfulfilled requests that you may have made to the Lord?

Before you go forward, read my testimony if you haven’t already.

How do you explain to someone (or yourself) that although Malachi 3 says that if you bring all your tithes to the storehouses, you will have blessings that there would not be room enough to contain them? You may have fulfilled this command, yet it seems like your finances are falling apart.

How does it make sense that you still have not found your God given spouse even though Isaiah 34:16 says that none shall be without their mate, you’re still single like a pringle. How do you explain it when you still have no children, although Psalm 127:3 says that children are a heritage from the Lord, and offsprings are a reward from Him? Surely, it does not makes sense to believe Psalm 107:20 when you are sick, although that verse says that the Lord sent His word and healed diseases, and rescued his children from the grave.

God’s ways are not our ways, His timing is not our timing. But more importantly, His timing is perfect.

Let’s take the example of John the Baptist– Luke 1 mentions that John’s parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth were blameless and upright, doing all that was pleasing in the eyes of the Lord. Yet, they were childless. Or that’s just how it seems to our human eyes, because God definitely was looking from another perspective. He saw that this family loved Him so much that He decided that the greatest old testament prophet had to be born of them.

And not just that, this child had to be the precursor to the Savior of the world. God wanted John’s parents to be well known as God-fearing people, so He let them live their lives out to later days, and He allowed them amass fame and authority in the temple. Zechariah was a High Priest, and one of the very few people allowed into the Holy of Holies.

Where ever the story of Jesus is told, John the Baptist, son of Elizabeth and Zechariah always will be mentioned. Although John himself said that he was not worthy to untie the sandals on the feet of Jesus, it was him who baptized Jesus. It was John who lept in his mother’s womb when Mary, the mother of Jesus came to visit. That infant was filled with the Holy Spirit right from the womb.

That’s what you get when you wait upon the Lord. When you live your life according to the timing of the Lord, your blessings begin to manifest even before they are brought forth. John recognized the Lord even before He was born. He is the greatest old testament prophet. In fact, he died in service to God. He will never be forgotten. What a gift to Zechariah and Elizabeth for their steadfast service to the Lord. 

Don’t look to the right or to the left when you’re waiting on the Lord. Look to Jesus, and He alone will answer your prayers in due time.

Surely, if you’re told that you will have a child that will be remembered forever because they will do mighty exploits for Jesus, you wouldn’t mind having that child at the tail end of your life. So wait upon the Lord, the latter days always will be greater then the former.

However, there are times when it’s possible to fast-forward God’s timing. Counterintuitive? I know, but let’s analyze Jesus’ first public ministry at the wedding at Cana.

Jesus tells His mother “My hour has not come yet.”

But notice what Jesus’ mother does next. She tells the disciples there to only obey Jesus and do whatever He desires.

Jesus will never delay anything pertaining to His friends. John 15:7 says that “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

Whatever you wish will be done for you. Do you understand the ramifications of that statement?

The good part is that there’s only one requirement: “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love.” (verse 7)

Obedience is the key that unlocks everything you need from God. If you’re obedient to God, you will be holy as He is holy. You will have faith, because faith is a divine command and a requirement for dwelling with God.

Your obedience to God will unlock powerful levels of God’s grace upon your life. This is not even about your one request being granted. It’s about a mindset change, and a higher attitude that understands God’s perspective.

There’s nothing in this world and in heaven that you will not have access to with faith, obedience to God, and holiness.

That’s how God’s gifts come. They’re never small or negligible. When God wants to surprise you, He does it in a big way. All He requires is your obedience. Obedience to His timing, and to His command to never get weary in good doing. 

Don’t worry if you’ve been shedding secret tears, know that God sees them. He knows just what you’re going through, and help is coming for you.

Be encouraged.

(This post was loosely culled from a sermon by Pastor Adeboye. It was the June RCCG Thanksgiving sermon.)

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Featured image from here.