I thirst for instant results. I love searching for random facts now that we have the internet. Who holds the major league record for RBIs? To what internal temperature should I cook bone-in chicken thighs on the grill? Does an American need a visa to enter El Salvador? Super fulfilling to ask a question and have it answered in milliseconds.*

Not so much when it comes to prayer. I prayed for a friend to come to faith for years, but never saw any movement. Everyone I know who believes in prayer experiences the same frustration. Sometimes God moves slowly, or other times not at all. This feels like the norm rather than the exception.

Same was true for the people of ancient Israel as they prayed and waited, and waited and prayed. But occasionally God moved without hesitation. In dire straits, surrounded by enemies, King Hezekiah laid face down in the house of the Lord and desperately begged God to intervene.

God quickly sent word by Isaiah the prophet that his prayer was heard. Later that evening God acted: And the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.

An immediate bloodbath. An immediate solution to Hezekiah’s problem. An immediate act of salvation for the nation. In my experience God moves slowly, like molasses on a cold morning. But every now and then God acts immediately and I get a glimpse of just what He can do. The Lord reminds me there’s a God in heaven who does what he wishes at his pace and his desire.

Isaiah 37

* Hack Wilson, 191 runs batted in, during his 1930 season with the Chicago Cubs; 175° – 185° F; U.S. citizens traveling for tourism or business do not need a visa for El Salvador.

Photo by Jean Gerber