7 Days to 7 Minutes

 A lady revealed yesterday in our Bible study class that she is looking for another vehicle. I shared our story about the two vehicles in the last month through God's provision. I told her what God did for us I knew He could also do for her. I then asked if she was wanted it debt free. She said that would be nice, but she had about $7,000 set aside to purchase one. We stopped teaching and prayed for God to help this lady get a new vehicle. 

I told her after the prayer that I am going to ask God to provide for her in the next seven days. That is when a second lady spoke up, "I have your car." They talked about some details while we all listened. I slammed my fists on the table and shouted, "Look at God!" That is when the lady with the car commented, "You said seven days, but God may have done it in seven minutes." I knew I had to write about that incident. 

I love it when God answers in seven minutes and not seven days. I have lived long enough and walked with God long enough to know that sometimes the answers to our prayers do not come in seven days, nor seven weeks, nor seven months. Sometimes God's delays may take years. That does not mean that He does not hear the first time. It does not mean that He does not care. There are all sorts of factors involved in God's timing. The point is He is faithful and loving. 

So loving in fact that at times He says no to the things we request of Him. I am very thankful for the times He says yes. I've also learned to be thankful when He denies my request because He knows what is best. There are so many prayer denials that I can look back in hindsight and see the handiwork of God. He saved me from some wrong choices. It is best to trust God's guidance and His timing when it comes to answered prayers. 

There are times when He chooses to answer quickly. Yesterday was a surprise. To see God go to work that quickly for several people to witness excited us. It was a boost to our faith. The lady had need of a car. Her car is no longer safe to operate. She lives out in the country and needs dependable transportation. Her resources are limited. God saw her need. He heard her petitions. His resources are unlimited. According to Ps 24:1 and Ps 50:10 the whole earth belongs to the Lord and everything in it. He already had possession of her car. It was just a matter of time for Jehovah Jireh to transfer that vehicle into her possession. LOOK AT GOD!