The Help We Fail To See - Hope 103.2

The Help We Fail To See

Read John 1:9-11 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. (NIV) I […]

By David ReayFriday 2 Nov 2018LifeWords DevotionalsFaithReading Time: 2 minutes

Read John 1:9-11

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. (NIV)

I have given lots of talks on the subject of ‘unanswered prayer’. In doing so, I try to acknowledge that there is actually no such thing. Rather, we don’t get the answer when we want it, or we don’t get the answer we wanted or expected. ‘No’ is still an answer!

Sometimes we cry out to God for help and he seems silent. Our prayers seem to hit the ceiling. Which is puzzling, because the Scriptures repeatedly tell of a God who is close at hand and who comes to the aid of his children. So we must assume he does hear and he does respond.

Perhaps the help he has sent is staring us in the face but we fail to recognise it. We were wanting and expecting something else. Perhaps we asked for a change of circumstances, whereas God may want to change us rather than our circumstances. Perhaps we wanted rapid healing whereas God may grant us ongoing perseverance.

We need to keep our eyes and ears and hearts and minds open to whatever help God is sending. Don’t be so focussed on receiving one specific thing that we overlook the other things he sends. After all, this is just what happened when Jesus came into the world to save the world. Those who prayed for help didn’t recognise him when he came.

Help is always at hand. Will we recognise it when it comes?

Blessings
David Reay