Before You Call

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” (Is. 65:24, NIV).

A few days ago, I was having a conversation with my youngest daughter, Lily. We were discussing the importance of faith. I asked her to share some thoughts on how we can get our faith to grow. She came up with some good insights, and then we landed on the importance of the Word of God. As she pondered how essential Scripture is for growing in faith, she concluded, “I need a Bible.” I smiled at this idea that she had come up with all on her own.

Lily is just now getting to the point in her reading level where the timing is perfect for her to have her first personal Bible. Of course, she has grown up on an ample supply of Bible stories and age-appropriate memory verses. She has enjoyed owning what she called her “Bibles;” large volumes of colorfully illustrated Bible stories. But the moment has come and she herself realized it: she’s ready to graduate to a real Bible, the full version.

There’s something doubly delightful about this story. Our Father anticipated the desire of Lily’s heart well before it even bubbled up inside of her. Two months before we even had this conversation, my friend Christina purchased Lily a brand new children’s Bible. The Lord had put it on her heart to do so, without any conversation with me or Lily about the subject.

Christina was due to arrive on an airplane here to our city of Iquitos, just a few days after this recent conversation with Lily. So this is why I smiled extra big when Lily asked me for a Bible. I knew that she had a very special one, literally with her name emblazoned on it, about to arrive… special delivery! Before she had even asked, our Daddy God had answered.

The moment was soon here. Christina stepped off the airplane onto our jungle soil. As soon as she could get her suitcase open, that exciting new bright yellow Bible was in Lily’s hands. I wish you could have seen my daughter’s eyes widen as she expressed in happy surprise, “I was just wanting one of these!”

What a joy to watch firsthand as my child experienced this aspect of God’s nature:

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” (Is. 65:24, NIV).

My friend, what about you? Is there something on your heart right now? Your Daddy is paying attention.

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Has God revealed Himself to you as One who hears you before you even cry out to Him? If so, I’d love to hear about how you experienced this aspect of His heart ☺️.