"'I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. ...if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.'"
~2 Chronicles 7:12-13 (
ESV)
A God Who Hears
The Lord hears prayer. The words and pleas uttered from our mouths and that resonate unspoken in our hearts all meet His Fathering ear. None are unheard; none are disregarded. More powerful is the Father's hearing of us than the audible speaking and hearing of two humans conversing. More caring is the Father's heart for us than a mother's affection to her nursing child. And more important and powerful are the Father's acts of grace toward us than the transfer of any earthly gift from one human to another.
A God Who Sympathizes
Our God, more than anyone, sympathizes with your specific weaknesses:
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
His ear is not mute when you bring your complaint and struggle. His back is not turned to you at any time. He is Father, He is welcoming, He will not condemn His saved children. So fear not that He will fail to sympathize, for He will not. Instead, He will counsel and shepherd you back to His pasture. He will tell you a million times and beyond about the cross, for that is where we are convicted, refreshed, and changed.
A God Who Answers
So then why has not your prayer been answered? Why have you cried so long with nothing but "pray more" as an answer? Why have you had your heart seemingly ripped from you and the pain remains when you have brought it time and time again?
Oh the mystery of how our God works. I wish I could give an easy answer, but none of us have it. It's part of what keeps us chasing after more of Him. I speak not from a position of no experience, for, though I speak not much of it, my life has been long full of difficulty, hurt, struggle, pain, and unfortunate circumstances. But I can say this, though in the midst of great trial now:
A long time in the coming, and coming still I am--I have experienced much more of the goodness of God than I have of my excruciating life. And I know it will always be that way because God is always that way and ever will be that way.
Therefore I am happy, though earthly sad at times and through seasons. Therefore I still experience joy--such as a pool of water sitting in the middle of the desert. Sometimes that pool runs low due to the heat, then rains pass over and it is full again though the surrounding sand remains dry.
What we know are the solid promises of God:
"'[I]f my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.'" (2 Chronicles 7:12-13)
"[B]ecause, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 5:8)
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." (Romans 5:8)
Dive into the Word; you will never stop finding His promises there! He will only ever answer and act with what is best for you--even if it's an answer of, "No."
The Non-existent Answered Prayer
So great God's passion for His glory and love for us that there was one specific prayer never uttered in all history prior to God providing the solution. And yet, this un-uttered prayer was the most critical and important prayer that needed uttering--the cry for salvation.
God sent His Son in answer to the need only he knew existed--the human need of a Savior. Therefore we should feel quite content if we find ourselves still without earthly possession or position--for our greatest need is met in Christ. That is not always easy to grasp, but behold! We can (and indeed let us) pray and ask that God in His kindness would bring us there--He is a God who hears, sympathizes, answers, and acts.
Challenge and Application Questions
- Have you brought your burdens to God lately?
- Is there wisdom in praying and waiting while continuing to live by faith?
- What promises of God are you storing in your heart?
- What promises of God is He working to bring you to believe? In what related ways is He training you to trust Him?
- Whatever be your need and whatever be your unanswered questions, will you seek to apply prayer as the first solution to the immediate struggle for long-term hope?
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