"Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God; for unto thee will I pray." Psalm 5:2
When a Chinese convert was asked by a missionary what remedy he found most effective in overcoming the Opium habit he replied quaintly, "Knee Medicine." We live in an age of energy and force, but what Christians really need is more "knee power!"
Peter MacKenzie, the famous Methodist preacher, was once speaking to a member of his congregation who complained bitterly, "My most earnest prayer has not been answered!" "Oh," replied Rev. MacKenzie, "that is very understandable, and it should not cause you to despair. Remember, many of our petitions are like promissory notes that guarantee payment at some future date. You have just presented yours before it was due! Do not cease to pray - God will honor in His own good time!"
Moses cried to God, and at the very moment when defeat seemed certain, the sea was divided. Hannah prayed for a son and in God's good time Samuel was born. The early Church prayed most fervently for Peter and at the proper moment the angel delivered him from prison. Indeed, "Men ought always to pray and not to faint!" God's delays are not denials - He is merely preparing a greater blessing. Some ask for strength that they might achieve, but God makes them weak that they might obey. Some ask for health that they might do great things, but God sends infirmity that they might do better things. Some ask for riches that they might be happy, but our Lord often gives poverty in order that they might be wise. Some ask for power, but are given weakness that they might feel more keenly the need of God. Yet all are more richly blessed than if they had been granted their blind request.
Remember, God always answers our prayers by giving us what we ask, or what we would have requested if we could see as He sees!
"Bread For Each Day"
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