It is possible to get discouraged in one’s Christian life due to the fact that answered prayer does not always come quickly, but there is a reason for this. Primarily, it is to test our faith. God has ordained that the Christian live this present life by faith and not by sight. Hebrews 11:6 says that “without faith it is impossible to please him.” In Romans 8:18-25, Paul mentioned the sufferings and corruption of this present life and concluded that the believer is subject to these things because “we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope” (Romans 8:24). The Lord Jesus Christ said to Thomas, who refused to believe unless he saw the resurrected Christ with his own eyes: “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Five times in the Gospels the Lord Jesus warned about those who have “little faith.” James 1:2-4 and 1 Peter 1:6-7 teach us that the sufferings of this life try our faith and produce patience. This is why prayer is not answered immediately, he would never suffer or have any lack and would not, therefore, have to live by faith. We always cry out to God as soon as trouble comes, when we are sick or have a financial need or desire a change in the weather, and if God always answered immediately we would never suffer or have any lack and would therefore live by sight rather than by faith. Further, if the believer’s prayers immediately, he would never suffer or have any lack and would not, therefore, have to live by faith. We always cry out to God as soon as trouble comes, when we are sick or have a financial need or desire a change in the weather, and if God always answered immediately we would never suffer or have any lack and would therefore live by sight rather than by faith. Further, if the believer’s prayers were answered always and immediately, unbelievers would see this and would be saved by sight rather than by faith. But the Bible says that salvation is by faith (John 20:30-31; Eph. 2:8-9). Happily, there is one prayer that God does answer quickly, and that is the prayer of Psalm 138:3. “In the day I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” Observe that this is a zealous, earnest prayer. The Psalmist says that he “cries” out to God, and in the very day that he does this God answers by strengthening him with strength in his soul. God doesn’t always take away the believer’s problems and sufferings, but He always gives strength to go through the problem if we look to Him in steadfast faith and earnestly seek His grace.
Friday Church News Notes, August 18, 2006, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143