Hope and Faith

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

I read this great devotional this morning and I decided that it would be perfect to share here today. It was about anticipation, and expecting God to answer our prayers. Think of a child, asking their parent a question, "Mom, do you think we could go to Grandma's house next weekend?" They ask a question, and first of all, they expect a response. As a parent we're not going to simply ignore our child and their question. But maybe we were putting clothes in the washer or something and we didn't hear. What is our child going to do? They are going to ask again- and maybe a little more fervently to make sure that we hear them. So we respond, "why, yes, we can do that." And then our child is eagerly anticipating the day their hope comes to fruition, because they know that Mom isn't going to lie to them.

So to, is it with God. We're missing something that even a child has- and that is hope coupled with our faith. When we are praying and asking God for this or that, so often it's with an attitude of "well, if you feel like answering God, I'm here. And if you don't answer, well, you must be busy." Or we pray for something because praying is the right thing to do, but we don't really expect an answer. Why not?! Where is our anticipation- our fervency with our prayers? Faith is a belief in the things we cannot see. We need to place our faith back in our Heavenly Father and know that He hears us each and every time we pray. Now sometimes His answer isn't immediate, but that just means we have more time to anticipate His answer! How many times in our life do we ask Him for direction? I know Andy and I have been asking that for several years, and only now do we start to have a glimmer of direction. God will give us what we ask for when the proper time comes. Or, He will provide a better alternative.

"The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.

16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing." Psalm 145:15-16

It's time to put away the "if" prayers. Just ask Him. Just place your faith in our wonderful God and ask Him for the desires of your heart. Then anticipate His response- look forward to the day that He answers you. He will never just ignore us and swipe our requests under the rug, He loves us as a parent loves a child and wants to see all of our desires fulfilled.

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope." Psalm 130:5