Push Through - Praying With Persistence Series

Not only is God’s timing perfect…but

B. His provision is perfect

“how much God gives is perfect”

God gives JUST enough. And maybe you’re like - “well God has been pretty skimpy on the miracles in my life lately…”

Have you ever felt that everyone else around you is getting a miracle except you? Have you been mad at God for not coming through like you thought He should?

In chapter 7 is a seemingly strange scene. John the Baptist is in prison…and while He’s there, he sends some of his disciples to go ask a strange question of Jesus. Let’s read in

Luke 7:18-23

18 The disciples of John reported to him about all these things. 19 Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?” 20 When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?’” 21 At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind. 22 And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”

Why did John question Jesus at this point in his life? Didn’t he spend his entire ministry promoting the coming of Jesus the Messiah? Why question Him now?

Here’s the deal…there is this unspoken sub-context going on. John the Baptist is in prison…and Jesus is performing miracles. He’s healing the sick. Giving the blind back their sight. The lame can get up and walk. So…where’s John’s Miracle?!? How could Jesus work miracles for all of these other people but not for His own cousin, John?!?

That’s why Jesus says in verse 23: “Blessed is he who does not take offense at me.”

Jesus flat out says, “Don’t get angry if you see me doing stuff for others but I don’t do what you want me to do in your life…in fact, you will blessed if you don’t get angry with me.”

Listen, I’m not going to spend time delivering some theological discourse on “why God doesn’t answer your prayer the way you want Him to.”

I am not going to pretend to know why God what he does.

But this is what I DO know: 100% of the prayers I DON’T pray, go unanswered.

Trust that God’s timing is perfect. Trust that God’s provision is perfect. PRAY PERSISTENTLY.

CONCLUSION: So where are you at this morning? I mean in regards to your prayer list. Have you abandoned prayer? Are there prayer requests you have given up because quite frankly, you’ve grown tired of praying for the same thing over and over and over.

I simply want to end with a verse of scripture: