Sometimes we are to give people opportunities to believe and repent – knowing they will not (Isa. Jer.) Obedience cannot be based on expected successful results. It’s so tempting to think we have misunderstood God when we step out in obedience and there are few to no results. We need to check and be as sure as we can that we are following God as best as we understand, but often we just need to keep obeying and trust Him with the results. Many choose the broad way. But sometimes we get the thrill of helping the few!

Sometimes our discouragement comes from a burden to share Jesus with those we love, or those who are loved by those we love. Some can seem so resistant, so far from seeing and believing.

Within a couple of days of thinking about the above I saw or heard these things.

From the movie The List. “One thousand miles from the Promised Land can be accomplished in one step.” Sometimes we see others that far away and sometimes they see themselves that far away, so this truth is a wonderful encouragement.

The June 13 devotion (not exactly on track, but it was perfect timing) from Growing in Grace by Cheri Fuller & Jennifer Kennedy Dean – Lost Causes: Saul’s testimony stands as a promise that with God there are no lost causes. God can so radically transform a life that the new person is almost unrecognizable. ^{Acts 9:20-21}

From If You Will Ask by Oswald Chambers: We intercede for the people God has placed around us. We bring particular people and circumstances before God’s throne, and the Holy Spirit in us has a chance to intercede for them ^{page 133}. We must be the human side of intercession. _{Pages 133-134}

I was encouraged by that because one of the things that thwarts my prayer life is not knowing how to pray. I may know what I want (and sometimes I don’t even know that), but that’s not the same as knowing what they or I need or knowing God’s plan. Although Jesus often asked people what they wanted, and a reason we don’t receive is because we don’t ask, I don’t want my prayer life to be limited to asking for what I want. I don’t eliminate that, but I don’t want that to be all there is. That would be overwhelming because I simply don’t know enough – not even close!

Several years ago in a Jennifer Kennedy Dean study, she said that when Lazarus was sick Mary and Martha’s biggest expectation and request was that Jesus would come. But Jesus wanted to give them more than they could ask or imagine.

When Nathan and Noah (great grandsons) realized I had more than they knew to ask for, they started asking for something else. I learned from them, and when Joe was growing weaker and weaker, I asked for something else. When he was dying and was so excited by what he was seeing of glory that he could hardly wait, I knew God had answered with more than I could ask or imagine.

So, part of my prayer time now is to give God time, just knowing I’m in His presence and bringing the burden of the people and situations that are on my heart and staying there as the Holy Spirit intercedes. And if somewhere in that process He shows me His will, I pray for that. And if He doesn’t, I wait for something else.

He is so much more than we know – but learning to know Him is so thrilling!