‘When God’s Answers Are Different Than What We Request’

Often, when we pray to God about our problems, we anticipate an immediate answer. Sometimes, God does respond immediately, and other times, He begins answering our prayers even before we pray them. However, there are also times when God’s answer doesn’t come as quickly as we would like, nor is it exactly what we asked for.

For instance, there are matters I’ve prayed about for years without an answer. Does this mean that my prayers have been futile? After all, why pray if God isn’t going to give us what we ask for?

‘God Gives Us His Peace’

I remember a time many years ago when my worry over a particular situation was tormenting me. The ‘what ifs?’ kept flooding into my mind, making it hard for me to rest. To make matters even worse, we were on vacation!

One night, as I was tossing in bed, my mind went to something the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians –

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

As I pondered these verses, I complained to the Lord, “I’ve prayed about my problems as You have said, but still lack peace.” The Lord responded, “Yes, you have prayed, but you’ve missed some very important parts of these verses.” So, as I lay there in bed, I began to break them down phrase by phrase and examine their meaning.

‘God Desires to Give Us What is Good’

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

This verse is a favorite among many because it offers great hope. It is often cited to remind us that God’s intention is not to destroy us but to provide us with a future filled with hope.

‘God’s Ways are Higher Than Our Ways’

Life can sometimes be very confusing, even for believers. When things happen to us that we do not understand, we may fall into the trap of accusing God of wrongdoing. The Old Testament figure Job came very close to doing so. During his time of great suffering, Job said, “Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” (Job 7:11) Job couldn’t understand why these terrible events were happening to him. His friends told him it was because of some sin in his life, yet Job knew of no such sin. Therefore, out of ‘the anguish of his soul,’ he ‘complained bitterly.’

‘God Guides Our Path’

In moments of uncertainty, we often find ourselves haunted by ‘what ifs’, which fuel our fears and create uncertainty about the future. Questions like, “What if I lose my job? What if the doctor’s report is bad? What if this relationship doesn’t work out? What if I can’t handle the challenges ahead? What if I’m not good enough?” can dominate our thoughts and control our lives, leading us to live in a constant state of fear.

But how can we overcome these ‘what ifs’ and regain our confidence? The Book of Proverbs provides us with an answer that has encouraged many. 

‘To Know Nothing but Christ and Him Crucified’

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

Many of us are fearful to share our faith with others. Such fear comes from a variety of reasons. Some are fearful that they might offend their friends and neighbors by appearing to be judgmental. Some are fearful that they do not know enough and might be asked a question they can’t answer. And others are fearful because they do not want to be scorned or laughed at. From today’s passage of scripture, we learn how Paul overcame the temptation to become fearful. Paul did not rely upon his ability to be persuasive but on the power of God and His Word.

‘What to Do When the Enemy Comes’

There is a story in the Old Testament that has always blessed my heart. It’s about a king named Hezekiah and what he did during a time of trouble.

The Bible tells us that Hezekiah was a good king who sought to please the Lord in everything he did. During Hezekiah’s reign, the king of Assyria invaded Judah and captured many of the villages. Then the king of Assyria sent a threatening letter to Hezekiah that contained these words –

“Thus you shall speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, ‘Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’ Look! You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by utterly destroying them; and shall you be delivered? Have the gods of the nations delivered those whom my fathers have destroyed, Gozan and Haran and Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar? Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?’ ” (2 Kings 19:10-13)

Hezekiah knew what had happened to all the nations Sennacherib mentioned. They were all annihilated by the Assyrian army! What should Hezekiah do? He knew that he and his army were no match for the mighty army of the Assyrians. Hezekiah did what every believer must do when the enemy comes. He put his faith and trust in God.

‘The Supernatural Power of the Bible’

“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” (2 Peter 1:16-18)

Peter never forgot the day when he, James, and John saw the Lord Jesus glowing in all His glory. Who could forget it? Jesus had invited the three disciples to join Him as He journeyed to the top of a mountain. Suddenly, right before their eyes, the Lord’s face began to shine like the sun and His robe became as white as light. As they looked upon Him and tried to understand what was happening, Moses and Elijah appeared and began to talk with Jesus. Then a voice from heaven was heard saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” (see Matthew 17:1-8) What a life-changing experience that must have been. Yet, Peter tells us that there is another supernatural way our lives can be affected and changed. God can change us through His Word.

‘Dedicated Completely to God’

During my years as a pastor, I’ve encountered believers who have attempted to justify their sinful actions. In yesterday’s devotional, I referred to a young man who tried to rationalize his behavior by convincing himself that his circumstances were unique and different, thus making change impossible. Additionally, I’ve met individuals who proudly claim that God accepts them “just as they are.” Those who think this way often try to use God’s grace as an excuse for their continued sinfulness. While God’s grace is indeed sufficient to forgive all sins, this does not imply that His grace is meant to condone a lifestyle of sin. Paul tells us that God desires to transform us completely. “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Paul uses the term ‘sanctify’ to refer to the process by which believers are separated from sin and dedicated to God’s service. According to Paul, God seeks to sanctify us in our spirit, our soul, and our body.

‘The Ability to Live a Godly Life’

I remember counseling a young man many years ago who was struggling with a particular sin in his life. To compound matters, he attempted to excuse his sin by claiming that he was different from others and couldn’t help doing what he was doing. I then shared with him what the Apostle Paul wrote concerning sin and temptation.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

In this passage, Paul reveals two important truths about temptation and sin.