God answers prayer!!

We should not be surprised to experience God at work in our lives. Today, in my case, though not surprised, per se, I am exulting in the joy of seeing a fervent prayer answered. Not only does God answer, but He responds to specific requests. I think it’s ok to be happy--giddy even-- when we see a specific response of God. It’s all right to be blown away by His compassionate mercy and grace gently deluged on us. I don’t know how to put this situation into the right words—it seems so obvious, so overstated. Of course God answers prayers! No duh. Tell me something I didn’t know before. It seems like that should be one of the foundational truths of our faith, yet so often we are shocked when God actually responds in the affirmative.

Two days ago, a friend came to me with not just a heavy heart, but a conflicted one. He was at a crucial point in his walk, and I knew it. Before we talked, I prayed for wisdom and the right words. While we talked, I spoke what was on my heart—the truth, because I care, and any good knowledge or wisdom God has wrought in me is due to His prerogative and for His glory. After we talked, I prayed that God would use the good things I may have said, and neutralize the effect of anything bad I may have said.

Today, this friend again sought me out, with a radically different countenance. He had made a choice, the right one, and was free. I am sure he will face struggles and challenges in the future. But I am choosing to hope in the power of God to change a life: a pivotal choice can be made, and a person can be changed in a moment, to begin walking down a different path than the one they had previously chosen. God works miracles. And you and I, and my friend, are living proof .

Do we expect God to answer? Or do we think that because He’s sovereign, what He wants for us won’t be fun or enjoyable or easy. True, it’s often hard or painful, what He chooses for us, but surely He delights to give good gifts. And when we want what He wants, He is glad to give it. When we are obedient, it pleases Him greatly. We do not perform good works to earn favor, or even merely out of gratitude for what He’s done for us, but because He made us to do them—and made them for us to do—and any being or organism or device that does what it was meant to do is beautiful and fulfilling to behold. A soaring aria is a joy to hear, swirling up the emotions; a finely-woven tapestry stirs wonder in its beholder as it tells a story, just as a superbly-written phrase or paragraph resonates with its reader, or a blazing sunset takes one's breath away. Things done well in the right way for the right reason, with the right direction, result in joy. I want to remember this for a long time, that I might more readily bless the LORD at all times. He is good; that word does not lose its meaning no matter how many times I say it!! Why would anyone confide in me, but that the Lord was choosing to use me? That blows me away.

Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Ps. 105.3
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