Before We Called...

“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24 This is God speaking, through Isaiah, about what it's going to be like in the new heaven and earth. But sometimes we get to experience a little bit of heaven on earth; God answers our prayers before we've even thought to pray them. I've noticed that happen twice in the last week, and I want to share it with you...

Last Thursday night, I was in my bedroom, possibly being silly as my overtired crazy behaviour kicked in. Anyway, I was considering my shoes, a few pairs of which were lined up on the floor. The furthermost pair were a white pair of flats which I've practically lived in for the last year or so. They've taken me around town many times, and even bushwalking etc. As such, they're in a sad state, and not so presentable anymore. So as I looked at them there, I thought to myself, “I'd better start looking around – in op shops or on sale -  for another pair.” I gotten that last pair at an op shop for cheap – and they were very close to brand new too. The thought began and ended there, and I moved on. The very next day, however, we were in town for another reason, and we decided to go into a shop we'd never been to before. It's called a boutique, so we were just looking – those places aren't normally affordable. But when we got in there we discovered that it was actually like an upper class op shop, selling only brand names; yet their prices were still very reasonable. Amongst everything else, there were a pair of shoes, black flats, size 8 ½. I put them on and they fitted. They were a good brand, and promised to last long and be comfortable. They were a cheap price, and they looked brand new. I hesitated because they weren't exactly what I had in mind, but then I remembered my thoughts of the night before, and decided that God must've been answering my unspoken prayer – and so soon! We bought them, and I've decided I do actually like them, and that they're a little gift from God just for me. :)

Then, actually that Friday night, my Mum expressed her thoughts about how nice it would be to have a bit more fellowship for Sabbaths, particularly the one we were just about to begin. We'd discussed this all before, and come to the same conclusion as we did that night – there is no one else, locally, around us. Still, one can wish. I don't know if my Mum prayed about it that night, but the next morning we got a text message to say that we were having extra visitors for the day! We were excited to say the least. We had a great day together, and even discussed meeting up and doing it again. It reminded me again of the verse “before they call, I will answer” - before we'd even prayed about it, the answer came, and from a place we didn't really expect.

Another verse, which I sort of got mixed up with the one above, describes this as well: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3 It's exciting to see the fulfilment of these verses, even in such seemingly small ways; before we prayed God answered, and showed us great and mighty things which we knew not. Thank-you God!

How has God been answering your prayers? Have you ever had an experience where God answered your unspoken prayer? Please do share; I enjoy reading all your comments so much. :)

Jessica xxx