My husband Mike and I attended a prayer class at church a few years ago based on the book, ‘‘Understanding the Power and Purpose of Prayer.”
At one point, our instructor said that many people stop praying because they have been disappointed by unanswered prayer.
When she said the word ”disappoint,” I heard the phrase ”appointed time” in my spirit.
I sensed the Spirit saying that our appointed time for the visible manifestation of our prayers may not always be God’s appointed time!
Our job is to be obedient and do what the Lord calls us to do in the meantime, trusting that He keeps His Word. After all, God cannot lie (see Numbers 23:19).
If our prayer agrees with God’s word, then it’s only a matter of time for the visible manifestation as we stand on His promises without wavering:
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
– 1 John 5:14-15
Habakkuk 2:2-4 came to mind also:
”Then the Lord answered me and said:
‘Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith.”
The Lord showed me a practical example of the faith described in Hebrews 11:1:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
When you get a promise from the Lord, think of it as like a jello mold pan.
In order for it to be ”made” into something, you need to fill it up. Faith is the substance that is used to fulfill God’s promises – belief and confidence in God’s character of integrity, that He keeps His word.
If something does not happen in your appointed time, keep filling it with faith.
Take action as the Lord leads according to faith, not by sight.
If you become discouraged, remind yourself, ”This may not be the appointed time, but the promise won’t delay once it is the appointed time. I will not cast away my confidence in which there is great reward. I will stay filled up with the joy and peace of God!”
So don’t forget that your faith has an appointed time for its visible manifestation.
Stay steadfast, immovable, always abounding the work of the Lord.
And get ready because the change is coming!
Be Blessed with Health, Healing, and Wholeness,
Kimberly Taylor
Author/Christian Life Coach of the Take Back Your Temple Weight Loss Community
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Ohhhhn how this msg blessed my soul. A couple of wks ago, when crying to the LORD pertaining to His promises, the Holy Spirit spoke these words “I will not continue to allow you to be disappointed in me”. This only assured me that not only will I see the manifestation, but it won’t be long. Thank you Sister in CHRIST for the encouragement.
Praise the Lord, Kimberly! May the Lord continue to bless you according to His word.
Thank you
Such a needed encouragement and proper perspective for me. The promises that seem to be forgotten by the Promiser are just not yet at their appointed time. I need to stop living in my feelings and live in my faith.
Hi Vicki – we ALL need this reminder, including me. It’s easier to caught up in our feelings because…well, we FEEL them. They are tangible in our senses whereas you can’t experience faith through our senses, so it’s intangible to start. Yet, we are called to walk by faith and not by sight. Our faith is in God, that we know He keeps His word whether we feel it or not. May the Lord bless you as you move forward in faith!
Thank you Lord for this WORD
You are welcome – Laura. All glory to Him!
What a wonderful timely word. It sounds so filled with hope. Thank you!
I see what you did there, Debra – ”Timely” word indeed. God is good!
Thank you for such a great promise. We sometimes forget that when things do not pan out like we think, we have to remember its not about us and all about Him.
Amen, Mary!