Deacon Victor Parrott

Isaiah 65:24 (KJV)

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

A Preemptive Strike 

Recently, I was out walking in the early morning hours. On several occasions, while circling the track, I heard the sound of sirens as rescue vehicles passed somewhere in the vicinity. I live in a major metropolitan city and screaming sirens are not unusual. Therefore, if it were not for the time of day that I was on the track, the sirens may have gone unnoticed due to the other sounds of the city. Additionally, their frequent occurrences make it easy to subconsciously tune sirens out. When there are so many things competing for some form of attention, it is not difficult for some sounds to become imperceptible. That’s if you’re human. However, our ways are not God’s ways.  

Generally, the sound of sirens indicates that someone is in distress, has requested assistance and someone has responded to that request. There is a request and then a response. However, Isaiah 65:24 says that God doesn’t necessarily need a request in order to respond (“…before they call…”, “…while they are yet speaking…”). God has declared that He will act even before He is asked. That’s good news! Just consider the implications of that verse. That means that there is not a thought that you can think that God does not already know about. There is not a word that you can speak that God has not already heard. God will not only anticipate your needs, but is aware of the needs of all, so that no one gets tuned out or ignored.  

God didn’t just promise to be proactive. He demonstrated it centuries ago on Mt. Calvary. We were destined to pay the penalty for sin and didn’t realize that we needed a Savior, when God executed a preemptive strike in the person of Jesus. So be encouraged and assured that God knows all about you and that God has initiated a preemptive strike against sin on your behalf.  

Prayer 

Lord, remind us that you do hear and anticipate the cries of all your children. Amen.

Thought for the day 

God acts before you ask. God comes before you call.