I was frustrated in my prayer time. I reviewed the promises of God. Many of them started with the basic premise of “The Lord will….”. They were in future tense. I asked the Lord when His promises would become present tense, that I would finally experience the answers. Even better, when would the promises become past tense so that they are shared as a testimony to others. I was reminded again that the eternal God does not have to give me a time frame for answers. (even though each day I hope He does!) Although there is not a time given, there is a guarantee of the end result.
Proverbs 10:28
The hope of the righteous is joy…
Another version translates the verse this way:
Proverbs 10:28
The prospect of the righteous is joy…
At some point, the hope we have in the Lord to answer our prayer requests will lead to joy. It is a guarantee. I am reminded of Sarah and Abraham. They waited twenty-five years for a child of their own. The child was named Isaac which means laughter. They finally had their bundle of joy. The hope, the prospect of each of our prayers is the joy of the Lord. The promise is a guarantee, the answer is wrapped in joy, the results are beyond what we had hoped.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Your promise is a guaranteed future of joy. On those days that seem to drag on in time, hold onto the hope of what is to come. Joy!