That Very Hour

Read: John 4:43-54 NLT – Jesus Heals an Official’s Son – At – Bible Gateway

“Go back home. Your son will live!” ……. “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” John 4:50, 52 NLT

God reveals the answers to our prayers in His timing. We need not worry if He hears us, He does. “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.” (1Pt.3:12 nlt) Knowing that God hears our prayers gives us assurance that He will answer them. When we get the answer is up to God. He will answer when the time is right and is in line with His purposes. When God hears our prayers, He doesn’t need to think how He will answer. He has already determined it. God doesn’t change His mind or have a change of heart in our waiting process. His answer will come as decided.

Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between an answer of ‘no’ or ‘wait.’ The answer ‘no’ may be realized rather quickly, but then again perhaps the Lord has a lesson for us in the waiting period. Rest assured, either way you’ll have the answer. The same is true for a ‘yes’ answer to prayer. We may receive it quickly or need to wait accordingly for God’s will. But He has already answered and will reveal it to us.

One of the greatest joys is to have an answer to prayer immediately. I’ve had several in my life, and I trust you have too. Looking back, we rejoice in God’s immediate response to our immediate need. In the gospel of John there is story of a government official who had such an immediate answer to prayer, but didn’t realize it until the next day.

John writes, “There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die.” (Jn.4:46-47 nlt) At 1 o’clock in the afternoon, Jesus told the man to go home that his son will live. He believed Jesus and started home. On his way home the next day he met some of his servants who told him his son was alive and well. The fever suddenly left him at that very hour at 1 o’clock in the afternoon the day before. Whether we receive an instant answer to our prayers or need to wait, we know God hears us and determines His answer that very hour always revealing it to us in His timing.