What happens when we, as believers, cry out to God in prayer only to be met with what seems to be SILENCE? That so-called "silence" can be frustrating, painful and confusing. We need an answer, after all, and we need it NOW! Well, at least we think we need it now.
After going through the experience of waiting on God to answer my prayers more times than I can count, I realized something. God had answered me, he had just not responded with the "yes" that I wanted. I realized that many of the prayers that I felt had been left unanswered had actually received answers. Sometimes, God said "no" and sometimes, "not now."
Remember asking your mom or dad if you could go somewhere or do something when you had not done what you were supposed to do? Perhaps, you asked to go to the mall and your room was a mess. If your mom was anything like my mom, she screamed "no" without saying a word! Her face said it all! That "I can't believe you have the audacity to ask to do anything with that junky room" face spoke volumes! Well, I believe God's presumed silence is sometimes the resounding "no" we do not want but need!.
Why doesn’t God always say, “Yes” to us if he loves us? Here are a few reasons:
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Proverbs 21:13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
Matthew 5:23, 24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
6. HE IS THE SOVEREIGN GOD
Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Romans 11:33-36 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Yep, the last one is the reason we probably like the least! We won't understand every "no." We may be sure we are ready for something now and may not understand God's "not now" but as believers, we have to trust that the almighty God knows best.
REFLECTION: Take a look at the prayers you have labeled as unanswered and reevaluate your motives, your current relationship with God, your faith, etc. Perhaps God has answered you.
andulkaphoto
annaxmalina
stormborns
discoholicmusic
tangentwithtanner
germansingergirl
titsay
romaincrisis
