There’s a story about a young man who, after reading how God spared Noah and his family from the flood, prayed that he would have the faith of Noah. That very night, he watched as the news reported a massive storm was coming; everyone in his town needed to evacuate to avoid a great flood. The young man knew this was his opportunity, so he began to pray and fast that God would save him. Later, as storm clouds began to gather, a fire truck drove through announcing the town was under evacuation and assisting anyone who needed extra help. The young man prayed more fervently that God would save him. The flood waters eventually came, and the man had to move to the second floor. He was looking out his window when a police boat came trying to save anyone still stranded. The young man prayed that he would not lose faith and recommitted to his prayer for God to save him. Finally, the young man had to climb on his roof to avoid the rising waters. A Coast Guard helicopter spotted him and told him to take hold of their ladder because this would be his last chance. The young man boldly refused and declared that his God would save him. A few moments later his house collapsed, and he was sucked into the torrent of water below and died.
When the young man stood before God, he was rather indignant. “God, I don’t understand! I believed, I prayed, and I publicly declared that you would save me, but you let me drown. Why?”
God, puzzled by the man’s accusation replied, “I sent you a news report, a fire truck, a police boat, and a Coast Guard helicopter. What else did you expect me to do?”
The invalid man we encounter in John 5 had been waiting for 38 years for an opportunity to receive healing. Then one day, one who had mastery over creation stood before him and asked if he wanted healing. Instead of accepting, “Yes, please,” the man objects, “Yes, but…” He was so focused on the obstacles preventing him from reaching the healing waters that he failed to recognize the source of the healing.
Does God’s miraculous, transforming, saving grace seem illusive? Maybe you have a preconceived notion of how God will or will not work in your life. Let us neither overlook the ordinary nor discount the extraordinary when it comes to how God chooses to answer our prayer.
In Christ,
Chappy