These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely,
the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day. (Habakkuk 2:3 TLB).
What is going on? I have prayed and prayed--and nothing seems to change. It seems that what I am asking is within your will. I don't think my motives are selfish. Have you ever felt this way? When your prayers seem to just hit a "glass ceiling", many times, we start to wonder.
I bet Zacharias and Elizabeth started to wonder. Remember, they were the parents of John the Baptist. He was born to them very, very late in life. In fact, it was at a point where having children was highly improbable, if not totally impossible--from their perspective.
Scripture is silent on this--but, I find it hard to believe that they had continued to pray to be blessed with a child at this stage of their life. I bet they had given up long before the angel Gabriel came to Zacharias and said. ". . . your prayer has been heard." Can't you just hear the dialogue; Zacharias:"Uh, what prayer?" And, Gabriel responds, "The one you prayed years ago. Don't you remember? You asked for a son."
We pray on our time, and God answers on His time. God encourages us in this time, "[d]o not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks." (Philippians 4:6 NIV). When we do, He further promises that "[a]nd God's peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (v. 7).
While we are waiting "on His time", He offers us His peace. In my life, I get anxious, at times. I want things to happen right away. But, I am learning to trust God that His time and His plan is always perfect. And, in the process, I have peace, His peace.
Stay Strong,
Dave
