When God Delays His Answer
What do you do when you pray and do not receive the answer you were hoping for?
How do you cope when your prayers go unanswered?
When your world goes dark, how do you keep trusting in an unseen God?
Where is the “song in the night” when life isn’t fair?
Let me answer your questions with this story.
Jesus loved Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus. In fact, He often went to their home for a meal, just for fellowship; which is quite amazing when you think of it – just hanging out, having supper with Jesus.
They were friends. Obviously pretty close friends.
As Jesus was ministering in another town, word came to Him that his friend Lazarus was sick. The sisters must have sent for Him. It doesn’t matter how many times I read this story, I am always surprised at Jesus’ response. He didn’t rush to them, He didn’t immediately fix the situation, He simply heard the messenger and kept doing what He was doing.
We don’t see – what Jesus sees.
He knows and observes and completely understands – the big picture.
In a couple of days, He would go to Mary and Martha and show Himself strong on their behalf – but for now, today and a couple of tomorrow’s – they didn’t understand, their world went dark.
And sometimes ours does too.
When you pray and seemingly do not receive an answer, delay does not mean denial, as was the case with Lazarus. In God’s timing and when His purpose had been accomplished, their prayer was answered in the most loving, caring and miraculous way.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life.
Dear one, God sees you. God hears you and one day, He’ll answer your prayer.
You’ll have a resurrection story.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine”. Isaiah 55:8
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him”. 1 Corinthians 2:9
“Call to me and I will answer you …”. Jeremiah 33:3
Today’s Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, even though I do not understand your ways – I trust you. Please answer my prayer and give me a resurrection story. I am putting all my hope in you and the promises I treasure from your word. I rest in you today”.