Recently, an episode from the 1950’s TV series, Maverick, seemed to enlighten me about God’s delayed answers to some of my most persistent prayers. I know that we are to pray with confidence that God always hears our prayers and will give us what is best for us. Yet, after years of lifting up certain petitions, I tend to get discouraged. In my heart, I wonder, “Aren’t You going to do something about this, Lord Jesus?”

The Plot Unfolds

That’s where Episode 10, Season 2 of Maverick entered the picture. The story shows gambler Bret Maverick (James Garner) being swindled by a crooked banker after he deposits his $15,000 in winnings from a late-night poker game. After Bret lets it be known around town that the banker owes him $15,000, the banker tries to get Bret to leave town. Folks tell him that he’ll never get the money from the greedy banker. Bret, however, does not leave. Instead, he sits peacefully across the street from the bank day after day whittling in a rocking chair. When the amused and curious townspeople come up to him and ask, “Aren’t you going to do something?,” he simply smiles up at them and says, “I’m working on it.”

What’s happening behind the scenes?

Behind the scenes, unknown to the townspeople, Bret has recruited his brother, Bart Maverick (Jack Kelly) and a host of other acquaintances to engage in an elaborate sting operation to recover his money. While it appears that Bret is doing nothing, he is in fact working diligently to see that justice is done. In the end (spoiler alert), the banker’s dishonesty is his downfall as he unknowingly chooses to participate in the flim-flam scheme. Bret’s undercover operation succeeds in recovering his funds and in exposing the banker’s crime.

Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed

Now when I pray for what seems like the thousandth time for certain petitions that God has not yet answered, in my heart I sense Him telling me, “I’m working on it.” Rather than feeling discouraged, I wonder what Our Lord is doing behind the scenes to bring about the results I am seek.

In Matthew 17:20, Jesus replied to his disciples who couldn’t understand why they had been unable to drive out a demon, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” And earlier in Matthew 7:11, Jesus said, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Knowing how much Our Father in Heaven wants to give us good gifts in answer to our prayers, we can trust that He is indeed working on it, even when we don’t yet see the results.

“I’m working on it.”

~ Bret Maverick

Questions for reflection:
What petitions have you lifted up to God for what seems like ages? Do you trust that He is working on it?