God Does What Is Best

God Does What Is Best

Max Lucado

"God will always give what is right to his people . ..and he will not be slow to answer them." Luke 18:7

Mark tells us that during the storm Jesus "saw his followers struggling" (Mark 6:48). Through the night he saw them. Through the storm he saw them. And like a loving , father he waited. He waited until the right moment. He waited until he knew it was time to come, and then he came.

What made it the right time? I don't know. Why was the ninth hour better than the fourth or fifth? I can't answer that. Why does God wait until the money is gone? Why does he wait until the sickness has lingered? Why does he choose to wait until the other side of the grave to answer the prayers for healing?

I don't know. I only know his timing is always right. I can only say he will do what is best. "God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day, and he will not be slow to answer them" (Luke 18:7).

Though you hear nothing, he is speaking. Though you see nothing, he is acting. With God there are no accidents. Every incident is intended to bring us closer to him. (From A Gentle Thunder by Max Lucado)

QUESTION: What is there in your life that is keeping you from calling out to the Lord?

When you Pray be Persistent and Humble!

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OBSERVATION When we pray we must be persistent and humble. Most of all, we can't depend on our own resources to get us through our problems. We need to trust God and His strength.

INSPIRATION One of my favorite stories concerns a bishop who was traveling by ship to visit a church across the ocean. While en route, the ship stopped at an island for a day. He went for a walk on the beach. He came upon three fishermen mending their nets.

Curious about their trade he asked them some questions. Curious about his ecclesiastical robes, they asked hm some questions. When they found out that he was a Christian leader, they got excited. "We Christians!" they said, proudly pointing to one another.

The bishop was impressed but cautious. Did they know the Lord's prayer? They had never heard of it.

"What do you say, then, when you pray?"

"We pray, 'O We are three, you are three, have mercy on us."

The bishop was appalled at the primitive nature of the prayer. "That will not do." So he spent the day teaching the Lord's Prayer. The fishermen were poor but willing learners. And before the bishop sailed away the next day, they could recite the prayer with no mistakes.

The bishop was proud.

On the return trip the bishop's ship drew near the island again. When the island came into view the bishop came to the deck and recalled with pleasure the men he had taught and resolved to go see them again. As he was thinking a light appeared on the horizon near the island, it seemed to be getting near. As the bishop gazed in wonder he realize the three fishermen were walking toward him on the water. Soon all the passengers and the crew were on the deck to see the sight.

When they were within speaking distance, the fisherman cried out , "Bishop, we come hurry to meet you."

"What is it you want?" asked the stunned bishop.

"We are so sorry, We forgot lovely prayer. We say, "O, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name ..." and then we forget. Please tell us the prayer again."

The bishop was humbled. "Go back to your homes, my friends, and when you pray say, "O We are three, you are three, have mercy on us."

(From And The Angels Were Silent by Max Lucado)

APPLICATION Do you mean what you pray? Do you get caught up in just saying words and miss their meaning? Continue to pray often -- but do so out of a humble, honest heart. If the fancy prayers and big words aren't for you -use your own. God wants to hear what you honestly pray.

EXPLORATION Prayer- Psalm 5:1-3; 55:17; 116:2.

The Devotional Bible - Experiencing the Heart of Jesus, Max Lucado General Editor, New Century Version, Thomas Nelson Publishers

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The root of this song is an African American Spiritual.

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Imagine the hope of feet being properly shod

and bodies clothed with the God's own robes,

then the freedom of walking all over God's Heaven!

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It still holds true today for all in bondage

who find the pure freedom of sins forgiven.

Oh, what joy!