Let me introduce you to real life, real desire, and real struggle. Living in this messy space between ‘faith’ and ‘God’s timing’, answered prayer simply doesn’t mesh with our modern culture’s expectations. 

We’ve created a mess. As deliciously satisfying as Amazon Prime is to our hungry hearts, God’s sovereign timing yields much deeper fulfillment far beyond immediate gratification. We hate to wait. It’s so offensive! God’s ways are not our ways; trite it may seem.

Often the duration God employs as we wait on Him deepens our understanding for what our needs truly are. Our appreciation of the answered prayer may increase as perseverance grows us through maturity. A relationship with God created by spending time in prayer actually prepares us best to use His gifts, when bestowed, most wisely. Read on and to explore:

 Genesis 25:19-26 (NIV)

19 This is the account of the family line of Abraham’s son Isaac.

Abraham became the father of Isaac, 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram[a] and sister of Laban the Aramean.

21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. 22 The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.

23 The Lord said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb,

    and two peoples from within you will be separated;

one people will be stronger than the other,

    and the older will serve the younger.”

24 When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. 25 The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau.[b] 26 After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob.[c]Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.

In seven tidy verses, Scripture captures and invites our hearts to interpret what was actually lived out over the course of 20 years! Did you catch that? I was stunned when this reality actually ministered to my heart. 

Today, in fact, I have a desperate prayer, born from bone-deep ache and desire, and actual need. We all do.  Often it’s simply too scary to encapsulate and then formally vocalize a deep seated petition for, “Please God, I need… or Please God, help me… or Please God...”  (fill in your blanks).

Look closely at the divine timeline provided and may your heart be empathetic as it traverses alongside Isaac’s intercession for his wife. This apparent heir of Abraham, chosen by God to grow a great nation, (God’s Words, not his) was 40 years old when he married Rebekah. Infertility then presented itself. 

Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. Genesis 25:21(a). The observation of such a prayer would allow anyone to speculate that this man believed in God and believed God would hear and receive such a request, and possibly even provide a child. That is a big leap for many enduring the cruel pain of infertility.

This one line of Scripture would support a genie-like god character, governing our lives like a sovereign vending machine, IF you didn’t read on. You see, the second half of Genesis 25:21, literally the very next sentence of text reads, “The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.” Not only did she conceive but to anyone who unwisely and errantly rates blessings, they may consider her doubly blessed conceiving twins. 

Isn’t it natural for most of us to think such fulfillment is ‘double’? It almost seems like extra love? Be careful with that. Do not allow egocentric human wisdom to interpret Scripture. Allow God’s Word to shape your Truth.

What’s missing in this neatly buttoned up answer to prayer is found in just a few more verses. If you’ve committed your heart to understand the valuable fullness of Truth found here, this is for you. God doesn’t use Amazon to deliver blessings. If you’ve followed Jesus and spent time with Him in relationship, through prayer and petitioning, you’ve learned that He’s not concerned about what timing we prefer. Instead He shapes lives through holiness and love, without the restraints of time or human demands.

Isaac’s biography stunned me when I read, “Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.” Genesis 25:26(b).

Wait, what? 20 years? They were married for 20 years. It took 20 years for God to fulfill a promise handed down from Isaac’s father, Abraham! We would all agree this is far from emotionally satisfying.

Focus instead on the actual miracle of God Himself, the God of all Creation who is asking us to pour out our hearts to Him. He listens. As you continue in prayer, choose to embrace God’s timing. You don’t have to appreciate it or even begin to understand. Allow this passage of Scripture to illuminate the Truth. Resist the demands of your anxious heart believing that “NOW” is the best time. 

God listens. He knows. He gives. He takes away. He decides. He loves. Begin asking for more of His presence and resolve to practice gratitude for what is in your hands today. He holds your prayers and your future in His.

Love,
P

Paula Webb is an incredibly gifted Bible teacher, ministry leader, speaker, and writer; who leads with her love for Jesus. She lives in Southern California, married her crush, cheers on her basketball boys, and loves being a grandma of two.  Paula is "adding her voice and joining the many" as she's jumping into the online community of social media to teach God's Word. She desires for women to know the life-giving truth and freedom of Jesus Christ; and she's testifying what He's done in her life through video messages and digital devotions. You can find Paula on Instagram @PaulaWebb.Life and her teachings on her website at www.PaulaWebb.Life.