“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

(Hebrews 11:1 ESV)

Recently Caroline decided to take the children and her mum on a trip into Manchester shopping and because I had driven up from Cheltenham to Rochdale the previous day, I was left to finish off my book.

As I slurped my tea, I received a telephone call from Caroline.  I could tell she was anxious as she recounted how Sophia had managed to get herself separated from the rest of the family, in the middle of the crowded shopping mall. 

She asked for us to pray together over the telephone.  So we prayed for Sophia to be safe and for Jesus to be there bringing peace and a quick resolution to the situation.

I know I can ask Jesus, I know Jesus hears our prayers, because Jesus said He calls His followers friends (See John 15:15) at a time of encouraging them to keep the faith.   Jesus as our friend does not always answer prayers in a manner or timing that we want but we can always persist in hope. 

Like the NT disciples I have prayed for people and there has been no change.  Sometimes I pray for people and their petitions are answered right away.  It is Jesus’ Kingdom.  Being a control freak, it is tough for me, not to know for certain beforehand how Jesus will answer my prayers for His intervention; but that is the way of things; it’s called faith.

After I prayed with Caroline I sensed the Holy Spirit being present to say He was there with us at either end of the telephone.  I knew not how the prayer would be answered, just that Jesus was there.  Later Caroline rang me to say Sophia had done the right thing and made herself known at an information desk.   Subsequently the security guards escorted Caroline to Sophia and they continued to enjoy the day.

Sometimes Jesus as Friend encourages me to know that I am loved as I walk, meditate and worship with Him.  Sometimes when I am overly focused on life, the tasks in the moment, Jesus as Friend seems a distant reality, only because His Presence is not the main focus.  It is a tension that I live with but I always know where my help comes from.

The heart of the matter is: how much faith or doubt is there in our relationship with Jesus, when life throws us a curve ball, or we find ourselves with an unknown, unknown? 

So, if today our faith seems to be AWOL, missing in action, Jesus, who is always Faithful, is waiting to meet with us where we are, in our doubts or confusion, to take us deeper into relationship, bringing His immeasurable Love and Peace with Him.

Prayer:  Thank You LORD for being the one whom we can trust in prayer to be with us and guide us always.  As followers we rejoice in Your unfailing Love, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Roderick Marshall