06/04/2022
For some reason we tend to think that Jesus only intercedes for us when we can see evidence that He is doing so, or that God’s help only occurs when, and where we can see His hand moving. It is wrong to think that we will always see some hint of His coming, or that we must feel the ground shaking, or see the waters tremble, as He approaches. Thanks be to God that this is not the case, and that even when we sleep, or are unaware, our Heavenly Father watches over us, He protects us, and He prepares a way for us. In those moments when He is working in secret, and we believe that we are alone, or that God isn’t hearing our prayers, He is at work, and He has surrounded us with angels. Do we have faith in this, or must our eyes be opened before we are able to believe?
“Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
2 Kings 6:17 ESV
We are told in scripture to pray in secret, but this often quoted verse also tells us that God sees in secret. So why is it that we look for the obvious movements of God in our lives, and not those things that require faith? If we hold firm to our faith in the unseen things, and trust that we are being saved, helped, and provided for, in unknown ways, then we will be rewarded. Perhaps our reward will come in a way we can see, or a miracle that will strengthen our unbelief, but our reward might also be the calm, and peace we feel by just knowing that Jesus is interceding, and that God hears us, and that He knows our needs even before we do. How often has He delivered us, or provided for us in unknown ways? How often have we been joyous and happy in our lives and thought it was just good fortune? Thank Him always for seeing, and providing in secret…
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:6 ESV
Having heard these things, and read of them, are we astounded by their revelation? Do we believe that God is working secretly right now in our lives, and that although we can’t see Him, or feel some evidence of His hand, that He is performing unrealized miracles, and that they are occurring all the day long… for eternity?
““Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”
Habakkuk 1:5 ESV
Today, when we think our prayers are going unheard, or we feel that God is not at work in our lives… think again. When something wonderful occurs, and we believe it to be a lucky occurrence, or of our own doing; think again. When we have prayed in secret, and think that the Lord must answer openly… think again. This is the day that the Lord has made, so rejoice, and by leaning on our faith… be glad in it.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the wonders that you bless us with; those we see, and the many more that we are unable to see. We thank you for showing us the occasional sign and miracle to strengthen our faith, and shore up our failing belief, but we thank you all the more for the faith we have that you are watching over us without our needing to know the details of your provision. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who works unceasingly in our lives, and whose Son intercedes for us in ways unknown to us, and for needs we have that we are unaware of. Praised be your name for those things we see you doing in our lives, but we also praise you for the unseen, and secret blessings, and mercies that you bestow upon us every day. Help us Lord in our unbelief, and forgive us as we doubt your answer to our prayers, or your care and nurture in our lives. Your grace abounds, and surrounds us. What we feel and experience of grace is sufficient for us, but oh Father… how much greater is your unwarranted grace than this. Wash us with the blood of your Son Jesus and prepare us in righteousness for that unknown moment when He will come again, and we will be judged. Prepare us for that time known only to you, yet certain to come. Call us your children on that glorious day, and welcome us to your table. We pray that you will make all that has been hidden, and every secret occurrence, known to us then. We worship you now for the hidden things, and will worship you always… in secret, and for all to see… now and forevermore.
“As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.”
Ecclesiastes 11:5 ESV
Rich Forbes