Just what we needed
Last week, my blog message focused on waiting–and the virtue of patience. Many of us agreed that patience is needed, but tough to develop and consistently display. I expressed the view that in this season of Advent, as we wait and watch for the coming of the Christ…
Jesus is worth the wait!
Elijah had a rough time after he defeated the prophets of Baal (part of last week’s message). He ran for his life, fleeing into the wilderness, collapsing in fear, exhaustion, and defeat.
He (Elijah) came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.” 1 Kings 19:4b-5a
Elijah gave up. He had reached the end of his endurance. Has that ever happened to you?
But what did God do? Did He immediately set Elijah free from His troubles? Did He answer Elijah’s prayer and release him through death? No…
God gave Elijah a nap and food.
All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.” 1 Kings 19:5b-6
Sometimes a nap and something to eat are just what we need… right?
The Israelites had yearned for a Messiah for generations. They anxiously awaited a powerful warrior who would gather an army and defeat whomever may be holding them in captivity at the time.
What did they get?
A child born in poverty, a baby placed in a manger. A child that was not hailed as a king by the elite of Israel and Judea, but first honored by the dregs of society–shepherds. A child that grew into a carpenter…
How could a baby, or a carpenter, free people from captivity?
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as you wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:18-21
He will save his people from their sins.
God didn’t send a warrior king. He sent a baby who grew in wisdom, truth, and sacrificial love. Our Father sent a Savior.
God sent us exactly what we needed.
So very true Ms. Katherine. I suspect we can all look back across our lives and see that while we didn’t get what we prayed about and asked for, God gave us what we need. I prayed and prayed that my first marriage would not end. When it did, and I found my way back into a true relationship with God, He gave me my Ms. Diane; the wife and help mate that I had prayed for even as a young man. God knew what I needed all along and He prepared it for me. My problem was all the years I wasted trying to do it all in my own power and not relying on His. Do we get what we want? Seldom. Does He give us what we need? Absolutely. Are we the one to stops to praise and thank Him or the nine who go our merry way? Great questions you’ve brought forth in my heart this day.
I too, look back at wasted years and wasted opportunities, reviewing things I wish I had done differently. Then I think–if I had acted differently, I may not have the blessings that God has granted me now. We all make mistakes and have regrets, yet God has a plan. God has THE plan. I’m so glad that you and Diane were blessed to find each other (accepting the blessing God brought you). I pray you have many more wonderful years together.
Thanks Katherine. Agree with JD’s comments. Sometimes what I really need is to step back and be thankful.
Sometimes it is hard to be thankful. I know you understand what I mean. Yet, when we are going through those times of tragedy and deep sorrow, God is with us and carries us through the dark valley. Thank you for your prayers, Marilyn.
Jesus knows what we need! That he gave Elijah rest resonates with me because it is during rest and stillness that I’m most likely to encounter God, to get caught up in His presence. Like the old television sitcom, Our ‘Father Knows Best’ what we need and when it’s needed.
You are absolutely right, Candyce, “Our Father Knows Best.” Sometimes, though, when we cannot see into the future, the present is so very painful because we are only aware of the sorrow. I’m so thankful that our Father cares for us through those dark valleys and grants us peace and rest. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Wishing you a blessed week.
Thank you, Katherine for this post that reminds us — “God sent us exactly what we needed. Our Father sent a Savior.” I always appreciate how your words bring such truths home to me. May we each remember this throughout this Advent season.
Thank you for your encouragement and support, Kathy. Wishing you much joy during this Advent and Christmas season.
It’s taken a long while (and a long list of unanswered prayers) to admit this, but I am grateful we do not get what we ask for. We are assured to receive exactly what we NEED. Amen to that!
As a country music fan, I remember Garth Brooks’ song about thanking God for unanswered prayers. At the time, we don’t understand why God didn’t respond in the way we wanted. It may take years for us to know the reason why or we may never know in this lifetime. But we do know that God’s plans are biger than ours. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Mary.
It took some time walking with the Lord to discover just what a loving, thoughtful, and kind Father He is! Hindsight has given me the gift of seeing how perfect the “just what I need” is, even in the dark times. We can trust His wisdom! Thank you for this good reminder, Katherine. Blessings ~
“Hindsight is 20/20” according to the old saying. Like you, it has taken me a while to be confident in God’s great love and care for me. We can trust Him fully, but we must make that choice–do we fully submit to our Father, in complete trust, or do we stubbornly try to maintain control. Thank you for being so open in sharing your thoughts, Wendy. Wishing you continued blessings.
Thank you Katherine for reminding us how what we think we need is the opposite of what God’s we need. Sometimes it is rest or food, but often times, it is just being thankful that you woke up to face another day. Great is Thy faithfulness! His mercies are renewed each day.
I agree, Ben. God is faithful under all circumstances. Can we examine ourselves and say the same? God/Jesus/the Holy Spirit are our role models. He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Your post reminds me that God always sends just what I need. Thank you for connecting that truth to His sending Jesus at just the right time. Beautiful post.
I confess that sometimes it is hard for me to admit that God is sending me what I need (when I think I REALLY need a different answer to my prayers). But time and patience always reveal that when I recognize God’s plan is best, He brings me peace and thankfulness. We are so blessed by His great love.
God knows how to meet our needs more than we even know what we need. He is the perfect provider and at the perfect time just like He sent Jesus at the time the world needed Him. Thanks for sharing, Katherine!
You express it wonderfully well, Barbara. God knows best what we need even before we recognize the need. I agree, God sent Jesus at the right time and in His perfect time, He will come again. Wishing you much joy and happiness during your time at home for the holidays.
I appreciated so much the way your words came to this one big truth: “God sent us exactly what we needed.” In spite of the many things I often feel I need, this thought brings me back to truth. Thank you Katherine!
Thank you for your encouragement, Sylvia. I admit that I still struggle, at times, trying to accept that God’s timing is always right, rather than what I consider to be an immediate need. It’s a reminder to me that I still need some work in the submission and trust department. I’m so thankful for His mercy and grace.
I feel like I’m in a room chatting with all the other readers. I’m nodding my head with you and everyone. When what we get isn’t what we are anticipating, it’s so easy to think that God hasn’t answered our prayers yet. You remind us that He will provide what we need when we need it. That gives me one more reason to praise Him and say “thank you” even when I don’t feel like it.
Yet is such an important, but often overlooked word. When we consider how that one simple concept fits into our faith…God hasn’t answered my prayer, yet…I’m not where I want to be in my faith journey, yet…I’m not living by the Fruit of the Spirit, yet…
Yet is a word of hope. It means we all have the opportuity to have a closer walk with our Lord, to be more kind and loving, and to better serve our Father. Thank you for sharing your insight, Barb. I especially appreciate the reminder to remember to thank God, even when I don’t feel like it.
There have been many times I want to be like Elijah and sit down and give up. I am so thankful God does not give up on me, but reaches down to help us up and keep moving forward.
Oh, me too! I’m so grateful that God never gives up on us. When we falter and stumble or make the wrong turn on our journey with Him, our Father is always ready to welcome us back into the safety of His loving embrace. I love the story of the prodigal son–I’ve been the prodigal daughter more times than I want to admit. I’m so thankful for our Father’s mercy and grace.
Every time I read the account of Christ’s coming, I shake my head. I’m positive that I, too, would have missed it. But God’s plan was/is so . . . well . . . PERFECT. Jesus checked every box God designed. And there’s more to come. That’s why we don’t have to fret about anything yet to come. It will be just what we need.
You express it so well, Annie. Thank you for sharing these words of hope and reassurance of God’s love and faithfulness. As you remind us, “God’s plan is perfect.” Wishing you a blessed Advent season and a joyous Christmas.
It’s only when we look back on an “unanswered” prayer that we realize His protective hand was working on our behalf. Wonderful message here.
At the time, those ananswered prayers are so painful, but as we wait, we see God’s plan unfolding and the blessings are beyond measure. Thank you for your encouragement, Nancy, and for stopping by and sharing your message of faith.
I’m so glad God knows me better than I know myself. I can look back and see many times that I thought I knew what I needed. Now I thank God he knew better. He is so, so good.
Oh, yes Terri–He is so good! God knows us–and the remarkable thing is that He still loves us–even with all our faults and failures. We are so blessed. May God bless you and your family with a safe and joyful Christmas.