October 20, 2018

JESUS, who HEARS HIS PEOPLE’S PRAYERS: “…in the days of His flesh…was heard…” (Heb 5:7). We thought of the Lord Jesus, whose Gethsemane prayers seemingly were not heard. But by understanding that His prayer was to be saved out of death, we see it was answered after all. But what of Elijah who prayed that he might die (1 Ki 19:4)? Unanswered? Well, yes and no. He didn’t die then—or ever! But if his hope (as ours should be) was to be carried out of this woeful world, then yes, God answered him “abundantly above” what he asked for. Moses prayed that he might go over Jordan (Deut 3:23-26). Sorry, said the Lord, you need to encourage Joshua because he will lead Israel in, not you. Refused? Or deferred! Fifteen hundred years later, there Moses was in the Land, but instead of entering with the squabbling people, he stood with the Lord Himself to discuss His exodus! And what of Paul’s prayer? No thorn removal, but grace sufficient! God always does what’s right.