Seven minutes of horror

Олексій • 3 years назад

“Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with courage to receive mercy and find grace for timely help.” — Hebrews 4:16

When the Perseverance rover landed on the red planet on February 18, 2021, the workers watching its arrival experienced “seven minutes of terror.” At the end of its space journey of 470 million kilometers, the rover went through the difficult process of landing. Signals from Mars reach Earth with a delay of several minutes, so NASA employees were not in contact with the rover at the moment of its landing. The lack of communication scared the team.

Sometimes we also feel fear when we pray and do not receive answers. In the Holy Scriptures, we see both those who quickly received answers to their prayers (see Dan. 9:20-23), and those who waited for answers for a long time (see the story of Anna in 1 Sam. 1:10-20). Perhaps the most striking example of a delayed response is the story of how Martha and Mary asked Jesus to come and help their sick brother Lazarus (John 11:3). Jesus’ delay probably filled the hearts of the sisters with terror. The Lord delayed, and their brother died (vv. 6-7, 14-15). However, after four days, Jesus finally answered by resurrecting Lazarus (vv. 43-44).

It is difficult to expect God’s answers to our prayers. However, God can comfort us and help us if we approach “with boldness to [His] throne of grace, to receive mercy and to find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

What have you been praying for that still hasn’t been answered? How can God strengthen your faith while you wait on Him?

Loving God, You know what is in my heart. Please help me to trust You as I wait for Your answer.

Author: David Brenon