The Saddest Room In Heaven

The Saddest Room In Heaven

     When Peter nodded an angel came from the side of the open-pearly gate.  With a warm smile he stepped forward and greeted Loretta.  “Let me show you around...there’s a lot to see.”

     The pair walked by the Concert Stadium, the Creation History Library, the Pavillion that contained the Lamb’s Book of Life and a jeweled edifice that had the original manuscripts of the Old and New testaments.

     They continued on and came to a gigantic room with a dining table without end.  The angel said this is for the Lamb’s Wedding Feast when all of His children have come home.  They paused as Loretta was nearly breathless as she was so thrilled with so much to see.

     “Could we maybe stop and spend time looking at…” as she gestured back up the trail.  But the angel reminded her that time no longer exists...you’re here for all eternity...without an end.  You can visit all you want as it never gets dark.  The Father is Heaven’s light and Jesus is the lamp.

     They continued through the gates and stepped on the hill next to the river of life.  She couldn’t believe the Tree of Life that hung over both sides of the river.  It was loaded with delicious-looking fruit.  Then she had to shield her eyes from the pure gold courtyard and street.

     Loretta stopped and had a peculiar look on her face.  “What are you curious about Loretta?”

     “I saw what looked like a huge shed that was kind of dark with cobwebs hanging from covered windows and an angel asleep on a chair leaned against the door.  Everything else you’ve shown me is brilliantly light.”

     He said “Loretta we’ll head that way but may I ask you a couple of questions?  There was a woman in the Bible that often went to the door-post of the temple to pray.  Who was it and what did she pray for?”

     Loretta said, “It was Hannah and she was barren and prayed that God would let her give birth to a son.”

     “You’re exactly right Loretta.  ‘For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.’ (1 Samuel 1:27, NKJV)  God has answered that same prayer over and over for those who asked him for a miracle.”

     “In fact, The Holy Spirit assigns some angels to grant the prayer request of many who ask for a miracle ~ believing He will provide it.”

     “Loretta can you think of any Bible story where people prayed but doubted God would answer their request?”

     “I kind of do.  Wasn’t there an apostle in jail and a group prayed that he’d be released?”

     “Again you’re right on, it happened shortly after the church began on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem.  Wicked Herod had Peter locked up in a jail outside the city.  So the church held a prayer meeting with a lot of Christians asking the Lord to release him.  So the Father sent an angel who walked Peter out of the locked room and took him back into the city.”

     “At first Peter thought he was having a vision and then he realized it wasn’t a vision.  He was miraculously free.  So Peter went to Mary’s house (she was John Mark’s Mom) and knocked and knocked and finally a servant girl, Rhoda answered the door.”

     “Do you know what happened when Rhoda answered the door, Loretta?”

     “I think so.  Didn’t the disciples think she had seen a ghost?”

     “Yes,” said the angel, “and do you know why they thought it was a ghost?”

     “Please tell me.”

     “Because they were like many people throughout time who prayed but didn’t believe their prayer was heard, nor that it would be answered.”

     “Yet God is so good He answered their prayer, even though many doubted, to teach the early church that He is the Sovereign God of the Universe and hungers to provide for those who trust in Him.

     One man years ago said, “Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking.  The way to trouble God is not to come at all.”

     “God really does want us to trouble Him with any and everything.  It isn’t trouble to Him it is our trust in and reliance on Him that brings Him great joy.”

     “Loretta here are some other examples of God answering prayers:”

     “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.

"For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for him! People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more.  How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you.” (Isaiah 30:18-19, NIV)

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5, NIV)

“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2, NIV)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, NIV)

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”  (John 14:13-14, NIV)

“For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.” (Psalms 72:12, NIV)

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24, NIV)

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.  He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.  They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:28-30, NIV)

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19, NIV)

“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11, NIV)

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4, NIV)

     Loretta, just before we check out the cobwebbed building look at this special verse:

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24, NIV)

     Many don’t know how great is their Almighty God.  This verse clearly shows that before His people even ask Him for help He sends the answer.

     They had arrived at the mysterious building about which Loretta had inquired.  “Are you ready to go inside Loretta?”

     “Yes, I sure am curious.”

     When they entered she couldn’t believe her eyes.  “Why this is full of gifts.  From wall to wall and floor to ceiling.  I even see upper balconies with gifts hanging off the rails.  And I can’t see the end of the room ~ it looks endless!”

     “Do you have any idea who these gifts are for, Loretta?”

     “I can’t possibly imagine.  Who are the gifts for?”

     These are gifts that the Lord had his angels prepare for people He loves when he knew their needy situation  ~  but  ~ they  ~ didn’t  ~ ask.

     So they were never sent.

     That is why this giant gift warehouse is Heaven’s Saddest room.

___________________

     This is a “what if” message designed to help God’s children pray and rely on Him for His answer.

Joey Feek

"See You There"

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