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I’ve got these two quotes from Jesus swimming around in my head today:

“with God all things are possible.”  Matthew 19:26

“Everything is possible for him who believes.”  Mark 9:23

These verses seem to say everything we need to know… Believe in God.  Trust that He will fulfill His promises and answer your prayers.  There’s nothing too hard for God to accomplish. Don’t give up.

Yet, this morning, I became aware of what these verses do not say.

They do not promise quick answers. With God, all things are possible in HIS timing.  When HE knows you are ready.  When HE is satisfied that you have let go of all the things you were clinging to.  When His heart is full because you have learned to trust Him and praise Him while you wait.

These verses do not promise that the results will be exactly what you had in mind. God is the ultimate multi-tasker.  He has multiple agendas… your growth, the salvation of others around you, preparation for future events, the refining of your character. So, the thing you asked for, which is possible with God when you believe, may not come in the package that you imagined. You will get healing, but maybe not the exact kind you initially asked for. You will receive provision, but maybe not the way you anticipated.

The verses above do not guarantee that the road will be easy. All things are possible.  But what will it cost us?  What will we have to lay down at His feet in order to see the fulfillment?  How many people will we see receive their answers before ours is realized?  How many people will criticize you for waiting on Him rather than taking action?

This month, I am watching two amazing journeys come to fruition.  One took 18 months, and the other took 2 years to finally arrive.  It has been a hard road.  I have believed much, and I have doubted much.  I have rejoiced often and grieved just as often.  I have drawn close to the Lord, and yet I have run away over and over again. I have seen provision come to others that haven’t waited as long as me… yet I’ve received so much grace that it doesn’t matter any more.

I’m watching the financial provision roll in.  I’m watching God save my house in a way that I never imagined and I haven’t heard another testimony like it.  I’m waiting for a promised baby boy to arrive any day now.  I know that God’s promises are true.  With God, all things are possible.  Nothing can stop Him.  Not the economy, not the odds, not your hard heart.  He will do what He has promised.

And what He has promised is so much better than anything you can imagine.  Just believe.

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I’ve been praying for favor quite a bit lately.  My family is going through some things that are completely out of our control, and other people are making important decisions that affect us.  The Lord is using these experiences to teach me about His favor.

You see, the Lord can have His hand on His child in a situation and He can affect the outcome, even if it defies all logic, rules, or even the will of others involved.   I’ll give you an example from the Bible.   I was led to read the book of Daniel last week.   God drew my attention to the amount of favor that He showed this young man.   (It’s a must read, even if you’ve been there before.  Click here to get started.)   God gave Daniel strength, protection, knowledge, wisdom, amazing spiritual gifts, appointments and promotions to key leadership, as well as visions and dreams that revealed deep and hidden things.  Over and over again, Daniel defied the odds and the Lord opened countless doors for him.  Doors that Daniel would never have been able to open on his own.

After reading this last week, I prayed more fervently for favor regarding a few issues in my life.  It was as if God was challenging me through the book of Daniel to believe in His favor.   My family and I need favor with doctors, hospitals, and medical insurance companies.  We need favor with creditors and (at some point very soon) judges.  We need favor with our mortgage company.  My husband needs favor with clients in order for the Lord to continue building his business.   I prayed in faith for the Lord’s favor in all of these things.

Then, things started happening this week. The doctor’s office extended unbelievable grace even though we’ve only paid a fraction of what we owe them.   The case worker trying to get me medi-cal for secondary maternity coverage was amazingly helpful and extended the deadline for me to turn in the rest of my paperwork.   The eye doctor canceled my appointment and is sending me free contacts to last the next six months.  They said to come back after the baby is born, and we’ll do another exam.  (I didn’t even pray for favor on that one!!!!)  The tax accountant told us that instead of paying income taxes, we are getting a $3000+ refund.  Being self-employed, my husband never PAID any income taxes.  This money is tangible evidence of God’s favor.

Of course, the enemy has been working overtime trying to steal our favor in other areas.  Intimidating phone calls.  Confusing letters in the mail.  Discouraging news.  No worries!  I am confident that God is working to provide all that I need and walk me through the valley of death, taxes, foreclosure, and bankruptcy. (That’s the 2009 version of Psalm 23:4.)

Listen to what He spoke to my heart after I read Daniel last week:

You are My highly favored one

I delight in saving you

in providing for you

in speaking through you.

I delight in meeting your needs

in opening doors

in leading you on My path.

I delight in you

because I love you

and no one can take you

away from Me.

You are My highly favored one

and you belong to Me.

Favor doesn’t mean that we always escape consequences.   It doesn’t mean that we can get whatever we wish for in prayer.  It means that God will stand in the midst of our situation and provide what we need.  (What HE thinks we need).  He will open doors, change hearts, and move mountains out of the way.  Favor means that I do not need to fear any man, woman, representative, agency, corporation, or institution.  It means that His will is supreme and cannot be thwarted by anyone!!

In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?   Psalm 56:11

You are His highly favored one!!!

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It’s been a week since you’ve heard from me.  No worries… I am still alive.  I’ve been nesting a whole lot. Lots to do in preparation for our baby’s arrival in two months. (Before I get too big and too tired to do it.)

I’ve been wrestling through some things too.  I’ve been asking God the hard questions again. Why do you let awful things happen to people I love?  Why are you pruning things (that I desire) out of my life?  What are you going to do next?  Should I prepare for the worst?  Is my baby going to be okay?

I’ve been in this place before…the misery feels familiar.  I’m fearing His hand again.  My daily devotion for today hit me right between the eyes, so to speak.  God challenged me. I have forgotten how GOOD he is.  I’ve forgotten how all GOOD things come from him.  I’ve forgotten that he works all things for GOOD.

Here’s an excerpt from today’s entry in my Streams in the Desert daily devotional:

But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze.  This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.  Isaiah 50:11

When we are in darkness, the temptation is to find our way without trusting in the Lord and relying upon Him.  Instead of allowing Him to help us, we try to help ourselves.  We seek the light of the natural (worldly) way and the advice of our friends. We reason out our own conclusions and thereby may be tempted to accept a path of deliverance that would not be of God at all.

Beloved, never try to get out of a dark place except in God’s timing and in His way.  A time of trouble and darkness is meant to teach you lessons you desperately need.  Premature deliverance may circumvent God’s work of grace in your life.  Commit the entire situation to Him, and be willing to abide in darkness, knowing He is present.  Remember, it is better to walk in the dark with God than to walk alone in the light.

Stop interfering with God’s plans and with His will. Touching anything of His mars the work. Moving the hands of a clock to suit you does not change the time.  You may be able to rush the unfolding of some aspects of God’s will, but you harm His work in the long run.  You can force a rosebud to open, but you spoil the flower.  Leave everything to him, without exception. “Not what I will, but what you will.”  (Mark 14:36)

There is some serious truth in that Isaiah passage.  Don’t we end up in torment when we try to reason out everything?  When we try to figure out God and life through our own filters and with our own limited understanding?

On the contrary, Jesus was able to say those last few words from Mark 14 because He fully trusted in God’s GOODNESS.  He knew that the pain He had to endure would lead to the fulfillment of God’s GOOD plans.   Over and over again in my life, I am able to look back on hard times and thank God for what He did.  Hindsight is 20/20, right?  I have been able to praise Him for what He taught me.  For the amazing blessings that came out of those hardships.  To share testimony of His grace, power, and love in the storms.

It’s time for me to have foresight that is 20/20.   If my eyes are on the Lord, then I can see His goodness and be confident that these hardships are going to lead to glory.  Freedom!   Blessings!   Testimony!   Maturity!   Stronger faith!

But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge.” Psalm 141:8