Only you know...

God,


The devotional today in Our Daily Bread was titled "God's Answers" http://odb.org/

Actually, the past few days devotions have been about being in you and trusting in you. I was going through thoughts and all the "what if" trying to foresee how things will play out and what I need to do to start planning, spinning through all this at 100mph. At the end of the night, I just felt exhausted, sad, worried, frustrated, confused, and I realized I can't do anything right now but have faith in you father. I just don't know what it is I can do next that would help except make phone calls and gather more information. But I also emailed a few friends for recommendations of doctors. I checked my email today and you provided me with an unexpected answer from someone whom I didn't expect at all to to possibly being the solution for me and be able to help me go in the right direction! I'm in awe right now, of your answered prayers and hearing my cry... So thankful and grateful but ashamed whenever I am filled with even the smallest hint of doubt in you. Help me to continue learn and remove any doubt in your power and the power of prayer so I can fully give my life in your hands. Its something so easily said and something I know I should do, but why is it that we always want to hold onto part of the control. I have a day of errands ahead of me....talk to you soon maybe in the car or when I'm eating breakfast/lunch!

- J.A


3/14/11

What God is doing you may not know now,
But someday you’ll understand why;
Questions that taunt you and trouble your mind
Will one day have heaven’s reply. —Hess

What’s better than answers to our why questions?
Trusting a good God who has His reasons.

3/15/11

In Christ we’re rich beyond belief
With wealth the world cannot see;
We have new strength and character,
New righteousness and purity. —Sper

The poorest person is he whose only wealth is money.

3/16/11

Daniel poured out his heart to God (Dan. 9:2). He had read Jeremiah and rediscovered God’s promise that Israel’s captivity in Babylon would last 70 years. So, in an effort to represent his people before God, Daniel fasted and prayed. He pleaded with God not to delay in rescuing His people (v.19).

When we pray, there are things we can know and other things we cannot. For instance, we have the assurance that God will hear our prayer if we know Him as our heavenly Father through faith in Jesus, and we know that His answer will come according to His will. But we don’t know when the answer will come or what it will be.

For Daniel, the answer to his prayer came in miraculous fashion, and it came immediately. While he was praying, the angel Gabriel arrived to provide the answer. But the nature of the answer was as surprising as the quick reply. While Daniel asked God about “70 years,” the answer was about a prophetic “70 weeks of years.” Daniel asked God for an answer about the here and now, but God’s answer had to do with events thousands of years into the future.

Focused as we are with our immediate situation, we may be shocked by God’s answer. Yet we can know that the answer will be for His glory.

I know not by what methods rare,
But this I know—God answers prayer;
I leave my prayers with Him alone,
Whose will is wiser than my own. —Hickok

God’s answers to our prayers may exceed our expectations.