HOW LONG LORD!
When will God answer our prayers?
The answer: We must leave the matter with him!
But note that in several of the psalms, the psalmist asks this very question: “How long Lord?” E.g. Psalms 6, 13 and 35. These psalms contain great prayers that we can use when we pray!*
There are also psalms where the psalmist argues his case before God, and cries out to him, “Lord Save!” See Psalm 80! Again, a great prayer here that we can adapt and use in our prayer life.
ASSURANCE OF HIS LOVE IS KEY!
But we are assured that he loves us, and that he hears us. See 1 Jn. 5,14-15
Verse 14, adds that he hears us: “when we pray according to his will”.
Don’t fear or be discouraged with thoughts of “have I prayed according to his will?!”
Of course God cannot hear us when we do not ask according to his will (see James 4,1-10 on this)!
But you have spent time fellowshipping with the Lord, in worship and thanksgiving!
He loves you! He knows your heart!
You have poured out your heart and your need to him! Remember Hannah! (1 Sam. 1,9-18)
He has spoken to your heart. He has given you faith! Hold fast to it!
He knew your need before you asked him! (Mt. 6,8)
WHEN YOU NEED ENDURANCE!
In Colossians chapter 1,9-12, Paul prays for the Colossians; basically that they be strengthened so that they can “grow up spiritually” It is great reading!
In verses 10-11 we read:
“…so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, unto all endurance and patience with joy;”
I believe Paul is saying here, that endurance and patience are part of what is needed for us to walk worthy of the Lord; bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. So, they are not optional extras! They are part of the Christian character that God wants all his children to possess – and yes, with joy – because it is by the might of the Holy Spirit that this is accomplished in us!
And in Hebrews 10,36:
For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
Waiting for God to answer prayer can certainly be a testing time; and for us, a process, which I believe God is in full control of.
We learn to stand up spiritually! We learn steadfastness, endurance! We learn to wait with patience; not inactive, but with our spiritual eyes focussed on him in whom we have believed – in whom we have confidence!
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him” writes the psalmist (Ps. 62,5)
The result is two-fold: Yes, I believe God is teaching us to be steadfast in our faith during such times. But also, I believe our faith is to honour and to glorify him (see 1 Peter 1,7 – which I started Part 1 with).
And yes, I do have prayers which I have not yet seen God answer! They are on a special account! I am not puzzled by that, or discouraged by that. In fact they spur me on! They are God´s business, and I trust him!
But I want to finish this post by quoting some words from the prophet Habakkuk which many times have strengthened my faith, and pointed the way for me:
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.” Habakkuk 3:17-19
The first part of this passage describes the need that could be felt in an agrarian society – a need no doubt the prophet knew all too well! Yet deep as that need certainly must have been, the prophet will rejoice in God his Saviour. This is the Spirit of Faith speaking! A faith that pleases and honours God – because it has pinned it´s hope solely on the Lord – there is NO OTHER SAVIOUR! Read Isaiah 45,18-21, especially verse 19!
This faith will certainly have its reward!
The last part of the passage describes the path of a deer on rocky crags in Israel. I visualise many deer, each with their different pathway on the mountain.
The prophet says that likewise God will make my feet as the deer’s, and make me tread on my high places.
So, God will make sure our faith is rewarded, though it may not seem like that at the present!
* But they must be adapted! See my post: “How do you read the Book of Psalms?” And brought in line with NT teaching.
List of Scriptural References:
Psalms 6, 13, 35, 80; 1 Jn. 5,14-15; James 4,1-10; 1 Sam. 1,9-18; Mt. 6,8; Col. 1,9-12; Heb. 10,36; Ps. 62,5; 1 Peter 1,7; Habakkuk 3,17-19; Isa. 45,18-21