TruthPoints
05.21.08
God Always Answers the Prayers of His People.
As you read the title of this edition of TruthPoints, you probably
immediately disagree and say something like, "There are many prayers
that I have prayed that God did not answer."
Well, please look again at my statement. God always answers the
prayers of His people. I did not say that God always answers the
prayers of His people in the way and at the time, we want Him to
answer but simply that He answers.
You see, sometimes He answers with a denial. He simply says, "No".
This is not best for you. God has predetermined to make His
children like Jesus and if our request does not meet that criterion,
then He will not grant our request.
At other times, the answer is delayed. God’s response is that your
request is not best for you right now. The answer may be granted in
the future, but not now.
Frequently, His answer is direct. I am often startled at the
abruptness with which God answers my prayers. The request is
granted and granted immediately. I wonder why we are still
surprised at this.
More often than not, however, God’s answer to our prayer is
different. Yes, He answers but in a way that is entirely different
from and better than our original petition. It is like the teenager
who asks his father for $20 and his father gives him $50.
When God responds in this fashion, I am reminded of (Ephesians
3:20-21), where Paul said, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly
abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to
all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Let me give you an example of all four of these responses to prayer
from one passage and from one incident. In (2 Corinthians 12), Paul
tells us that he requested that God would remove a particular "thorn
in the flesh" from him (12:8). First, the request was denied. It
was not removed. Paul continued to pray about this issue, three
times to be exact, and yet the answer was delayed (12:8). Finally,
God’s answer was direct (12:9a). Actually, God spoke directly to
Paul regarding this matter. Ultimately, the answer was different
from Paul’s original request. God said He was not going to remove
the proverbial “thorn” but assured Paul that His grace was always
available and more than adequate (12:9).
In the end, Paul said, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in
my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” In
simple terms, he was thankful that God had answered his prayer
differently and in a greater way than his original request.
Child of God, can you trust the Lord today as you pray. Can you
trust Him to know what is best for you and to do only what will
result in His glory and your good? The Apostle Paul adds, in
(Romans 8:28-29), “And we know that all things work together for
good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to
His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be
conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn
among many brethren.”
Have a blessed day.
Pastor David