Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear. Isa. 59:1 (ESV)
Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. Jer. 32:17 (ESV)
Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son. Gen. 18:4 (ESV)
Heavenly Father, on this October Sunday, we come to you as hungry puppies, grateful for your attentive ear, outstretched arm, and perfect timetable. Our greatest challenges, and most “impossible” situations, are no match for your mercy and might, plan and providence.
When in doubt about your alertness to our need or the goodness of your heart, all we have to do is look at Jesus, and consider everything you’ve done for us in him. Having given us Jesus, surely you will give us everything else we need (Rom. 8:32). And for the things we think we must have (but don’t, really), you’ll give us sufficient grace (2 Cor. 12:9). Father, may we never see “sufficient grace” as less than Plan A.
Some us feel like laughing like Sarah did, as we consider our “impossible situations.” Some of us believe it’s more probable a 90-year-old Sarah could give birth to baby Isaac (Gen. 18:12) than we’ll get to see a redemptive outcome to some of the heart-heavy stories we carry.
Nonetheless, we come to you, Abba Father—we run to you; and we find you running even faster toward us. Replace our fretting with faith, our tantrums with trust, and our worries with worship. Give us your peace even before the storms subside, the clouds clear, and the sun rises.
In the coming hours, days, and weeks, bring much glory to yourself in the things on our prayer lists and in our hearts. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ beautiful and trustworthy name.
