The Messiah. The Savior for a broken world. The sacrificial Lamb. The Lion of Judah. A baby. Jesus. What happens when there is a great disconnect between expectations and answers?
The Promised Messiah
Prophets foretold of God’s promise to send a messiah to save the world’s perfectly imperfect people from sin and death. He was to be the Messiah, the Answer to many Hebrew prayers. However, when God kept His promise and answered their long-awaited, fervent prayers, Jesus was not the One they expected.
For just a moment, imagine the Hebrew people’s surprise at the news of a newborn baby being given the titles of Messiah, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. After all, how can a helpless child, dependent on others for all His basic needs, be the Savior the world needs? Despite the disconnect between their expectations of a grown king and the One whom they received, God gave His people exactly Who they needed (and still need).
An Unrecognized Package
Similar to the Package God delivered to the Hebrew people, each of us must ask ourselves the question, “Will I know when God answers my prayers, or will there be an unrecognized package waiting for me?” You see, God knows His children’s innermost desires and deepest heartfelt prayers. In fact, He is the only One who really knows precisely what we need (and when we need it!). This fact remains as true today, as it was over two millennia ago! Therefore, none of us should be surprised, or disappointed, if the answer to our prayers arrives in an unexpected, or unrecognizable, package. Should we?
Keep or Return to Sender?
If your postal service is anything like mine, holidays bring with them a huge increase in mail! A surge in mail often means an increased need to write “Return to sender” on all undeliverable letters and cards. When I inscribe this message for my postal carrier, I always pray the correspondence makes it to its intended recipient. After all, whoever makes the effort to send their loved one something would be heartbroken to learn it never reached its destination, just like the one waiting to receive it. Am I right?
Now, imagine God is sending something to you, His loved one. How will you respond when His correspondence reaches you? Will you trust Him and accept it, or will you mark it “Return to sender” and continue waiting for what you think He should send? How will you handle a great disconnect if (or when) it arrives?
Points to Remember When a Great Disconnect Happens
God Is Trustworthy
God keeps His promises! In fact, Scripture brims of examples of Him as Promise Keeper! The Old Testament recounts Joshua’s farewell address to all Israel. In his message, Joshua tells them, “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed” (Joshua 23:14, NIV) (bold and italics added for emphasis). Affirming the same sentiment as Joshua’s message, Psalm 145:13 (NIV) reminds us, “…The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.”
God Meets All Needs
According to Apostle Paul in a letter to the church in Philippi, “…God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, NIV) (bold and italics added for emphasis). Notice, Paul speaks of God meeting all His children’s needs. Unfortunately, sometimes a disconnect occurs when we expect Him to meet all our wants, too!
God Waits for His Children to Seek Him
Jesus explains God’s desire to answer His children’s prayers. During His Sermon on the Mount, also known as the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches us by saying, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7, NIV) (bold and italics added for emphasis). Did you catch that? The doorway to God is not locked. Not at all. Instead, He remains ever-present on the other side, waiting patiently for you to reach out to Him when you are ready.
God Answers Prayers According to His Will
Verse 1 John 5:14 (NIV) offers a glimpse into opening the door and accessing God. According to John, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (bold and italics added for emphasis). What is His will? Quite simply, seek to live a life filled with love, service, and forgiveness toward others just as Christ did. When you do, God knows your intentions are aligned with His Will.
Closing Thoughts and a Call to Action
As Christmas approaches, Christians around the globe eagerly anticipate celebrating the birth of Jesus. The feelings of excitement and anticipation are much the same as they were for the Hebrew people over two millennia ago. However, we know our Savior was delivered to us as an infant, instead of an adult king whom the Hebrews expected. Despite the disconnect between their expectations of a grown king and the One who came, God gave His people throughout all of time exactly Who they need. Therefore, when you seek God in prayer, remember His answer to your prayers may arrive in a package you never even considered!
Related Posts:
How to Discern Ways God Speaks
Make God Your G.P.S. (Great Personal Savior) on Life’s Journey
Seek God Daily with Love and Dogged Persistence
A Special Acknowledgement:
The feature image provided by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com.
Copyright © 2024