"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." -Psalm 37:5.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." -Is. 55:9.
"Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?" -Matt. 20:15.
We need FAITH; without real faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). We must believe that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, and believe beyond our sight (Heb. 11:1).
"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." -John 20:29.
The gospel of John is probably my favorite book of the Bible, and chapter 11, the resurrection of Lazarus, one of my favorite stories. It was in my regular reading for today, and what tears of joy it does bring! This story is rich.
We have lost faith in our day. Often we work things out on our own, and falsely claim that it is God answering (Jer. 17:5-8). We are in way too much of a hurry to wait upon God, and too interested in controlling the process and outcome. Yes, our prayer requests may be dire and valid; but did you also know that Jesus promised that they would be answered?
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." -Matt. 7:7,8. Bold italics added for emphasis.
So, yes! God will answer your prayer! He will answer it in His time, and in His way. There indeed may be things which hinder your prayers' answers, but the Lord will address them with you along the way, in order that the answer you seek may be given. Please see The Conditions of Prevailing Prayer for more info along this line.
One of the biggest problems, however, is simply trusting in God to be God. We want or expect Him to answer according to our own way of thinking: we want comfort, and quick answers. Real faith is tested and refined by the trials that we endure, and that implies "bad feelings."
Take this example of Lazarus in John chapter 11, and let it sink in. We today have the privelege of knowing the whole story and its outcome; God has enabled us to greatly benefit from the trials of faith endured in this circumstance. Will you allow it to help you, or will you continue on faithlessly?
Sometimes (most times) we don't even know what God could be thinking. He has a habit of acting in unique ways, whereby He gains all of the glory! Jesus shows us this type of reasoning here with Lazarus;
"Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where He was." John 11:5,6; bold italics added to emphasize.
Did you get that? This sick, dying, beloved friend would seemingly be in need of immediate attention; but Jesus was in no hurry! Do we not question as did some of the Jews, "Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?" Perhaps we have seen the Lord do marvelous things at times, but then comes a time when it seems that our pleas fall upon deaf ears. No way! Time and distance are meaningless to our infinite God, so please don't let discouragement overwhelm you when it may seem too late for an answer to prayer. To the human eye, Jesus' inactions were baffling. But in His mind, which is God's mind, it was the plan that He intended. Rather than being too late, it was perfectly timed.
Think of the distress being experienced by Mary, and Martha, or the affliction felt by Lazarus. What anguish! But what a heart our savior has; He was troubled, groaning in His spirit, and readily wept with those in mourning (John 11:33-38), even though He knew of the great outcome that would follow. This was an outcome not only of one man's life being extended, but of many coming to faith in Christ (John 11:45). The initial need was very real, but God brought from this circumstance something far greater than anyone could have foreseen.
No matter what you may be facing, our God already knows all about it. Wait for Him; trust in Him; humble yourself before Him, that He may exalt you in due time (I Peter 5:6). Take seriously the words which God has faithfully preserved for you, and learn not only from your own trials, but from the trials of them that have gone before us. Even when all seems lost, share in this faithful confession of Martha;
"Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee." -John 11:21,22.
"If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." -John 14:14.
Oh, brethren, TRUST the Lord today! He so wants to comfort you along the way, until the time of His perfect answer has come. Death has no power where our Lord is concerned; He is the resurrection, and the life (John 11:25).
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