He mentioned something that I thought answered a lot of people's "why" questions. One of those questions being "Why aren't there stories in the Bible of people who were prayed for and weren't healed, or of a baren mother who hasn't become pregnant?"
The story of Sarah and of the woman who reached out to grasp the hem of Jesus' garments in HOPES that if she were to only touch his hem she would be healed-- these along with others in the Bible, help build up our faith and hope.
Our God is the God of hope.
Romans 15:13New International Version (NIV)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Here's a testimony I'd like to share of a women in our church.
She's been married 16 years and in those 16 years has adopted 3 children. As she was spending time with the Lord during her quiet time, she was telling Him that she's Okay were her life. She's Okay with how everything is going. And the Lord said back to her, you're Okay? Or you've just stopped believing?
She fell to her knees and raised her arms asking God to forgive her for her unbelief and for the Lord to restore her faith and hope. 30 days later, she was pregnant!
After hearing the testimony, I realized I had begun to tear up. I was so happy for her and her family and for what they were all about to share with each other. And just moved by the power of God. And I'm sure that story, just like Sarah's, gave hope to some women in the congregation that have been asking God "why?"
For me it was an extremely powerful message. Hope is one of humanities strongest emotions and I've been encouraged to hope more.
