Calling All Prayer Warriors -- to Wait!

Jeremiah 42:2-4, 7

A group of Judean army officers approached Jeremiah, asking his petition to God on their behalf.  They were committed to doing as the Lord commanded.

Verse 4:  “All right,” Jeremiah replied. “I will pray to the Lord your God, as you have asked, and I will tell you everything he says. I will hide nothing from you.”

Ready for this?  Keep in mind these men are willing to "surrender" to the will of God -- capitulate to His plan of attack.  Verse 7 says, "Ten days later the Lord gave his reply to Jeremiah."  Ten days later?  Are you serious?  These were warriors -- men of action!  They needed an answer!  

So often we think if we are open to God's will, being obedient, ready to do whatever He requires, we should have our response right away.  Our legalistic humanity tells us, "Do good things -- get a reward."  We're trained to think this way from childhood.  God is not a gumball machine or Social Studies teacher; He doesn't operate on our timetable or our terms.  Besides, even our best deeds are as filthy rags when it comes to redemption! 

To get to the Life Lesson portion of our program...

How can knowing this change our prayer life?  The prayer life that sometimes gets weary and routine because "God must be tired of hearing me ask for this, because I'm tired of asking!"  How can this change the things for which we pray?  Things we ignore because "God's not listening to me anyway."  How can this ignite our prayer life?  The prayer life that's been virtually non-existent because "I have no idea what to pray for -- I just don't understand God's will!"

Ask!  Pray!  James 5:16b --  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  In other words, prayer does change things -- especially us!