God Over-answers Prayer
One of the most common phrases we hear in church is “God answers prayer!” That is only half the truth. The whole truth is “God over-answers prayer!”
Hosea prophesied to Israel, “You are backslidden, but you are still God’s people” (see Hosea 14:1). “Take words with you, and return to the Lord. Say to him ‘Take away all iniquity; receive us graciously’” (Hosea 14:2, NKJV).
Israel’s prayer was simple. All they asked of God was to take away their sin and receive them graciously. “Lord, have mercy! Cleanse us and receive us back into your grace.” God not only cleansed them and received them back graciously; he also added blessings beyond imagination.
“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for my anger has turned away from him. I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall grow like the lily, and lengthen his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread; his beauty shall be like an olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon. Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall be revived like grain, and grow like the vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon” (Hosea 14:4-7).
The dew of heaven is the presence of the Lord. Up to this point, there had been drought; everything was dying because God’s favor had been taken away. Now because of true repentance and a heartfelt prayer, God said he would cause life to spring up on all sides. Israel not only would be forgiven but revived as well. They would become well-rooted and spread out, and they would thrive.
All they asked for was mercy, forgiveness and acceptance. Instead, God opened the windows of heaven and poured on them blessings they dared not even hope for. God generously over-answered their prayer!
God has done the same for you. When you repented, all you asked God for was a clean heart, forgiveness and peace. Look at how he has over-answered you. He gave you a hungering heart and a thirst for more of Jesus. He gave you eyes to see and ears to hear. He has protected you from Satan and flooded your soul with hope, joy and gladness. You asked only to be saved and cleansed, but God has poured out blessing upon blessing to you. He has over-answered you!
