Godspeed... What does it usually mean when people say "Godspeed"? Do they mean to wish a joyous and prosperous journey? Do they just mean to wish us well with a difficult task we might be facing? Either way... where do you think the term comes from?
Originally, Godspeed was a term that was used to impart God's prosperity on someone. Literally, it was a phrase meaning "may God prosper you". Of course, throughout time and the sinful nature of the world, the term has essentially become another means to say "good luck" (which gives credit to the god of luck worshipped by groups of people in biblical times).
My understanding of the term was always something along the lines of "may you have God's strength and literal speed in accomplishing your quest". I now see that that's kind of silly given that God's timing is usually perceived as much slower than we'd like to experience. Along with that, the Bible Scriptures also tell us that God's timing is entirely different than we understand timing. When you're dealing with a mighty Creator who can literally look at the beginning of the world while simultaneously looking at the end, the concept of "time" begins to seem a little futile.
In looking at this term "Godspeed", the word "speed" is a part of it. So often times, when I hear the word "Godspeed", like I mentioned above, I typically process it as "God's speed". That's how we're going to look at it for now anyways because that's the ultimate topic of this post... God's speed in our lives when it comes to hearing and answering our prayers.
In reading one of my daily devotionals from the Bible App, I came across this scripture from the book of Daniel:
"As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed." Daniel 9:23 NIV
This scripture tells us one of two things. First, it lets us know that when the righteous pray to God with sincerity and humility, those prayers are heard almost instantly! Theologically speaking, our God who knows all and sees all knows what we are going to pray for before we even think to do it of course. But in this account of Daniel's response to acknowledging Jeremiah's prophecy, we see that God heard his prayer as soon as it left his lips.
Now the King James Version is written as "At the beginning of thy supplications". This too expresses that Daniel's prayer was heard by God immediately. Surely, we know that God doesn't have to hear the words leave our mouths in order to know what we are thinking for the Scripture also says that He searches the heart and tests the mind of man and "Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. Psalm 139:4"
So this verse in Daniel 9 reminds us that God hears us when we pray if our hearts and minds are pure and righteous. This doesn't mean "perfect" because that entire prayer from Daniel at that moment was him expressing his great sorrow that God's people had not repented and turned away from their sins. It was a heartfelt true confession and plea unto God which God heard as soon as he began to pray.
The second thing that this verse tells us, is that God, in His infinite reign and wisdom, can act instantly on our behalf when we pray to him.
The scripture doesn't say that the angel came with a word a few days later or a couple months after the fact... no. It says that as soon as Daniel began to pray (or at the beginning of his supplications), a word (commandment) went out. Praise be to God!!!
How encouraging is it to see in Scripture directly from one of God's messengers that our prayers can begin the answering process just. like. that.
Not only is it encouragement to continue praying, but it's encouragement to continue on the path of righteousness! If we remain in Christ and Christ in us, then there is nothing that can stop our prayers from getting to God the Father.
Even if forces try to stand in the way (as the Scripture shows us as well), we can have confidence that no matter how fast or slow the answer seems from our finite perspective, God definitely hears our prayers and doesn't waste time acting.
So... the next time we find ourselves sitting around thinking about "God's speed" in relation to our prayers and supplications, let us remember this scripture about Daniel's prayer to God in the midst of his adversity and how God responded to his esteemed servant.
If you are going through something and feel like God is just taking too long or isn't even hearing you, let's first review our hearts and minds as followers of Christ for the esteem and righteousness that God searches for in us, and then...
Let's pray about it...
B.B.S.S.
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