WHEN GOD DOESN’T ANSWER 1
Have you ever prayed for a real need in your life but nothing seemed to happen? What do you do about seemingly unanswered prayer?
Paul and Silas prayed for direction and protection. God sent them to Philippi. There they were beaten and thrown into prison. Job prayed for a hedge of protection around his children every day, One day they were all killed. Lazarus was crippled, sickly, homeless and starving. Nothing changed until he went to heaven. God never gave a reason or explanation. Total silence. We aren’t alone when we experience these things, are we?
Mary and Martha were good friends of Jesus. Their home was always open to Him. It was the closest thing He had to a ‘home.’ They provided food and financial support for Jesus and the disciples. Their brother Lazarus was sick, but Jesus didn’t heal him. They knew Jesus healed even strangers, but there was no healing for Lazarus. When Lazarus was about to die and they sent word to Jesus, Jesus still didn’t heal him long distance as He had done others. He didn’t even come to offer condolences immediately. He sent word Lazarus would be OK, and then didn’t even show up for the funeral! (See John 11 for the full story)
Can you imagine how Mary and Martha must have felt? They were confused, discouraged, disappointed and maybe even angry over the loss of Lazarus. They must have asked the ‘why’ question over and over. We know the end of the story but they didn’t.
In our situations we look to the past and see how God has worked. But our present situations we don’t know how it will turn out – those are the tough ones to handle.
These are the only real opportunities we have to trust God and they only exist while we live on this earth. Put your faith in Him unconditionally, as Job did and see how God uses it in your life and others. God is STILL using Job’s life to teach and encourage others today.
. Next blog will talk about why God may not answer. In the meantime, try to see it as a great opportunity to show your unconditional faith in God.
2 Corinthians 5:7 We walk by faith, not by sight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
Think of a time when it seemed God wasn’t answering your prayers. How did you respond? How should you have responded? What can you learn from that to help your faith grow?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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