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'Christ in You...'
by Dale Krebbs
Without understanding how God works with us (not against us), our lives can be cluttered with doubt and confusion, when we do not understand how God works out His will in us. What seems to be unanswered prayer can wreck and make havoc of our lives.
The starting point for understanding unanswered prayers is remembering that over all, and above all things, circumstances, or other people, God loves us! Actually, His love is so great for that it is difficult to understand it. This is so very important to keep in mind when life send us a totally inapprehensible circumstance or event.
As He has said, His ways are not our ways, and we tend to think, reason and conduct ourselves according to what seems right to us at the time. But God is the God of the infinite past and the infinite future. He is so great in so many ways, it is completely beyond us.
When we cannot comprehend why God would not answer a prayer that to us seems so logical, and so needed in our lives, we can have peace in patience by considering at least three ways God works with us:
1) He may be expecting you to realize that it is best for you to wait. He is not saying "no", nor is He saying "yes".
2) He may be wanting you to consider that the answer is "no yet". The timing is not right. Remember Solomon's wise words "there is a time for EVERTHING under the sun. That includes answers to our prayers.
3) It also could be that He is lovingly be saying "no". Your request, for reasons known only to Him, may not be according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). If this is so, consider that the "no" has present and perhaps eternal ramifications.
There is a reason that you probably could not understand at this time, but will eventually. Also, the reason for the "no" may not be revealed until we are made immortal at which time you can understand. Or, He may never reveal the "why" of the "no".
The joy of eternal life with Him simply blots out the issue completely, no matter what it may have been. In most cases, the reason for the unanswered prayer, regardless of what it was, will become self evident over time. Remember, God understands timing. We don't. We just want to. But He knows that too much knowledge, especially at the wrong time, can be dangerous to our spiritual life and our relationship with Him, and with others.
The old adage "let go and let God" would be appropriate regarding unanswered prayer. An advertising slogan of some years ago ended with the self-evident statement, "inquiring minds want to know". So it is also with our unanswered prayers.
We want to know.
We want to know when, where, and if. However, we are admonished to let patience have it's perfect work. But this is so very, very difficult when we feel we desperately need God's intervention and deliverance in life's problems, distresses, trials, and crisis now. But we live in the short view of the now. God knows the consequences of the now, the tomorrows, and forever. He will do only that which is for our good - always.
Regardless of the desperation we often feel when we long for God's intervention, whether His answer is yes, wait, or no, He will provide you with the strength, grace, and patience to see you through.
"Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise. For yet a very little while, He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry. But my righteous one shall live by faith: And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul." - Hebrews 10:35-39 (KJV)
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