WHERE IS IT?

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you”       (John‬ ‭15:7‬).

I remember when I was a little girl. I saw on tv a doll that closed her eyes when you laid her down, my eyes got so wide as I became mesmerized. I wanted that doll! I asked my parents if they could buy it for me but they said maybe, so I waited and waited. It is not fun to wait when you really want something! But I kept on waiting. One day my dad told me he was going to buy it for me and I was so excited but what I really wanted to know is when I was actually getting it. I was getting impatient and losing my hope. The only thing I could do was keep on waiting. Finally, one day after school my dad asked me to go downtown with him. We took the bus and we walked and I’m sure we had a conversation. The only thing I remember when we arrived at the store was all the toys and everything was stacked nicely. It was like heaven! My dad asked the clerk to show us the dolls and I got very excited! The clerk comes out with the doll I saw on tv and oh man, was I happy! Finally! I got what I always wanted! 

Have you ever asked God for something and you wonder why He does not answer your prayers? Or why does He take so long to answer? You are not alone. In the Bible we find many stories about when great men and women of God asked for something and they either got it right away or they had to wait years to get it. Sometimes for some, they never received it. I would like to share three stories. One took a long time for the answer to come. The second one happened instantly and the last one, the one we do not like, the un-answer prayer.

 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians‬ ‭4:19‬).‭

I hope you understand that God answers all prayers even if we do not get what we pray for. God is a loving Father that wants the best for us. You may say but why doesn’t He cure me? Or my child? Or my husband or wife? Or my father or mother? You may even say God does not love me. He does not care about me. Believe me, He loves you and cares about you! He knows what is best for you and me. Be patient and do not lose hope. God is with you in any trial you may be going through. He is walking by you cheering you on. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (‭‭Psalm‬ ‭23:4‬).

The first story is about Sarah and Abraham when they prayed for a son. Sarah got impatient with God because she thought it was taking too long. So she decided to solve the problem herself. All she needed to do was wait. When God says and promises something, He will do it. He is not like you and me that sometimes don't keep our word.  "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Sarah because of her impatience became despised by her maid, let’s read it. “Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee” ‭‭(Genesis‬ ‭16:1-5‬).

It took many, many years for them to get an answer; the only thing they needed to do was trust and be patient. God had not forgotten His promise to them: “And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my Lord being old also? And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son” (Genesis‬ ‭18:10-14). Remember, God will answer according to His will and timing. Be patient, do not take matters in your hands if God says wait, then wait, for He knows best. 

Another great story is the story of King Salomon when he prayed for wisdom and his prayer was answered instantly. He not only got wisdom but he got riches and honor! Can you imagine?! An instant answer from God with extra bonuses! We all want our prayers answered now but what are we praying for? Are we praying for something we need or want? How is our heart right when we ask? Are we demanding God or asking? What have we done for God to get what we want? God does not want anything from us but just think about it though. Let’s read the story of Salomon. “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days” (1 Kings‬ ‭3:9-14‬).

The last story I will share is the one of Paul. The man chosen by God to do great things. And yet that is the same man God did not answer his prayer to be healed. If you have read this story you probably have wondered why God did not answer him the way he wanted. I wonder! I also think if God did not answer Paul, who am Into wonder why God does not answer some of my prayers? I have come to a conclusion; God sees our hearts, He knows what will happen to us if He gives us what we want. If you have children you may know this. We know if we give them something that may hurt them, we hold ourselves back  from giving it to them. God is the same! “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James‬ ‭4:3). The Bible says Paul saught the Lord three times and when God finally answered him, I am sure it was not how Paul expected Him to. “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:7-12). Paul did not give up in believing because his prayer wasn't answered like he wanted. He instead praised the Lord in his infirmity. Paul accepted God’s answer and rejoiced for he knew that God knows better. 

I hope these three examples help you to understand, God answers prayers even when we think He does not. Only ask for His will to be done and not yours. May God bless you 

Likhi Roush