Sun Stand Still

Do you ever feel like you need God to move on your behalf in a big way? As my children grew up, I worked outside of the home. My feet hit the ground running when the sun rose and they didn’t stop moving until late at night. Even so, I just couldn’t get everything done. I needed more time in the day.

Can you relate? We are busy people. Careers. Carpool. Laundry. Church. Grocery shopping. Baseball. I prayed a big prayer: Lord, please stretch the hours out. I figured His answer would take a few things off my plate. Nope. Instead, He added something! God challenged me to trust Him to manage my schedule by giving Him the first few minutes of every day in prayer and Scripture reading.

I was already overwhelmed. How could everything get done with less time to spare? I didn’t have a clue how this would work out, but in desperation I obeyed God. For over ten years I’ve kept my daily appointment with Him (though to be honest, it’s not always been without grumbling).  The Lord has faithfully answered my prayer in one of two ways: He’s given me time to finish each task or He’s granted me rest when I don’t get everything done.

What big prayer do you need answered? Hopefully this true story will encourage you to ask.

Joshua and the armies were about to run out of daylight until God, the keeper of time, stepped in and held the sun and moon in their orbits. “So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies.” (Joshua 10:13a NLT)

God kept these massive objects from moving. Can we take a moment to reflect on the sheer power and magnitude of our God to answer Joshua’s prayer in such a fantastic way?!

He paused the sun and moon’s rotations to ensure that the Israelites had enough light and time to secure the victory. The Lord proved that He held them, their triumph, and time in His hands. What a beautiful way to display His care and wondrous works. He is still the same God and will answer your prayers too, according to His will.

My problem wasn’t that I didn’t desire to know God better by spending time with Him each morning. My problem was that I didn’t believe God could direct my time better than I could. Of course, I was wrong. Like Joshua, God multiplied and managed my time. Somehow, even though I ‘lost’ 30 minutes every morning in prayer and reading, I accomplished the day’s duties. And when I didn’t, He gave me peace.

What do you need God to do on your behalf? Spend time with Him today in worship, thanks, Scripture reading, and prayer. Trusting Him—with your schedule, health, relationships, etc.—is the first step toward victory. He holds time—and you—in His hands.