On April 3, 1860, an American “express-mail” service was introduced, using relays of horse-mounted riders to deliver messages from Missouri to California. Delivery was reduced to ten months, and was the fastest means of communication before the transcontinental telegraph system came into existence in October of 1961. Stations were located ten to fifteen miles apart along the route, where riders would change to a fresh horse, get a bite to eat, and take only the mail pouch to the next station. Communication today has greatly improved, with packages able to be delivered overnight, as well as text messages and emails being sent instantaneously, along with different types of attachments.
“Words from Above” in the Bible tell us that there is an unbelievably fast means of communication available between humanity and God, and it is called prayer. Despite the obvious convenience of packages being delivered overnight, and test messages and emails being transmitted electronically in an instance, there are some drawbacks involved. Weather and mechanical breakdowns can certainly affect overnight package deliveries, and Internet failures can prevent text messages and emails from arriving at their desired destinations. Communication with God through prayer is not subject to any of these inconveniences, but is not only instantaneous but also full-proof.
God is always ready to hear and answer our prayers if they are offered according to His will and in the name of His Son Jesus. God does not ever depend on the Internet or mechanical means of communication. The apostle Paul speaks about the fact that there are times when we do not even know how we should pray as we should, but in such times the Holy Spirit of God is there to intercede on our behalf. He points out in Romans 8 that the Holy Spirit helps our “infirmities” by searching our hearts and communicating what is in our heart to the Lord. Jesus confirms in Matthew 6 that God the Father knows what we need, even before ask Him, and this is why Paul says “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
The disciples of Jesus were on a ship one day, when a storm arose, and suddenly they saw Jesus walking to them on the water. They thought it was a ghost, but after Jesus identified Himself, Peter wanted to walk to Him on the water. Jesus invited him to do so, but when he saw the waves, he got scared and began to sink. He immediately called out for help, and Jesus took him by the hand and rescued him. Instant communication was critical, and it saved his life.
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For information, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.
