Before they call, I will answer!
By Helen Jesze, 12th June 2020
A Pastor friend and his wife, Colin and Pam, have recently been going through a very difficult time. He had been in hospital for three weeks, undergoing many tests and examinations and was given a serious diagnosis. Because of the lockdown, he was then sent home to start several courses of treatment. His wife also had long-standing health issues and there were many battles during the day and the long night hours, but the Lord was upholding them in a mighty way. Pastor Colin was also experiencing wonderful hours in fellowship with the Father, and receiving prophetic words and direction from Him. He says, lock down has been his secret place.
As they could not go out to buy anything, family and friends brought them groceries and often cooked food. Especially members of their church, who believe in “Love in Action” would bring them tasty meals and boxes of fruit. One morning, Pastor Colin said to Pam, “Oh, I’d love to have a Shepherd’s Pie today!” At lunchtime, somebody rang the bell and when they went to the door, they saw someone had left a cooked Shepherd’s Pie for them on the doorstep! Another day, he fancied a Lasagne, and – you’ve guessed it! – a Lasagne ready for the oven had been left on the step outside!
This God who made the universe and is so great that we cannot possibly fathom Him, yet knows the cry of our heart and will often answer even our desires which are not always spoken out in prayer. He constantly stoops to help His children in so many ways, setting the wheels in motion for the answer to come, sometimes years, months, weeks or days earlier. It’s as though He is saying: “Hey, I heard that! Here it comes! Enjoy!”
A lady preacher I know, Paula, was born with a scar on her face. At school she was ridiculed and called “Scar face”. This made her very introverted and she was deeply hurt. Later, the scar was surgically removed and she married, but her husband was violent and they divorced. She became a Christian and God called her to preach. There had been so much rejection in her past, and Paula wondered whether she should marry again. Every time she prayed about it, the Lord would tell her, “Your Maker is your Husband!” So she said one day in prayer, “Lord, a husband usually gives his wife a diamond ring, so if you are my Husband, then do that for me!” Not long after, a lady came to her and handing her a little box, said, ”Paula, this is for you, from Jesus!” Inside the box was a diamond ring! Paula never doubted this truth again! She knew she was truly loved!
Laying in his hospital bed, sick with COVID-19, lonely, afraid and isolated, a Christian man was praying for the Lord to send someone to encourage him. That morning a new cleaner stood at the door, waved and talked for a few minutes. Then he prayed a short prayer and said he’d see him again. The patient felt uplifted and encouraged that God had sent this Christian his way. Every time the cleaner passed his window, he would wave and give him the thumbs up sign. The patient was soon on the mend but had little appetite. One morning he said to himself, “O, I could just eat some Prawn Crisps and drink a Coke!” A little later, the cleaner came by and placed a small bag at the door, then went off to his job. When the nurse brought it in, the patient saw it contained some Prawn flavoured Crisps and a bottle of Coke! Coincidence? No! It was another case of “Before they call, I will answer!”
A missionary family was working in a remote part of Africa, which was very hot, but also had some cold times of the year. One day the mother said, “I wish we had a hot-water bottle. We could really use one when it’s cold or during illness, but it’s not possible to buy one here, and who would think of sending a hot-water bottle to Africa!” Nevertheless, they decided they would pray for this and after a short while another parcel arrived from their home church in America. Clothes, toys for the children, books and other articles had been packed by loving hands, and right at the bottom, was a brand-new hot-water bottle! The parcel had been some months in transit. Even before they prayed, God had spoken to one of His children. Totally illogical, they might have said, but they obeyed. The Lord knew they would pray for this, and showed His loving care in answering.
He is faithful who has promised! He’s a God who cares for YOU!!
Delicious Shepherd’s Pie!
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