One of the people who literally put God “on trial” was a man from the Old Testament named Habakkuk. Habakkuk was a prophet in Judah, and he felt the full weight of the problems, pressures, sins, and difficulties of his family and of his nation.
Although Habakkuk lived a long time ago, his story is extremely appropriate, especially when you look at present history and all that we’re dealing with in America and around the world. In Habakkuk 1:2, Habbakuk asked the following of the Lord: "How long, O Lord, will I call for help, and You will not hear?"This was one of those big, deep, tough, “life” questions that Habakkuk was asking God. In the midst of all the turmoil surrounding his life, he was basically asking, “God, where were you when I needed you the most?” Habakkuk was grappling with something each of us deals with as believers, unanswered prayer. He was complaining about the silence of God and in his heart he urgently wanted to know why God wasn’t answering his prayers.
Children of God I’m sure you’ve probably felt this way before. Anyone who’s been walking with the Lord for any amount of time has. I know that I have felt this way many times. It was infuriating for me. We want answers when we pray. It’s frustrating when it seems like God is silent. If you’ve ever felt this way, or even feel this way today, I have a word of encouragement for you. God does answer prayer. He does it in four different ways. “I can’t hear you.” Sometimes the Lord can’t hear us when we pray. And it’s not because we need to talk louder or speak more clearly.
Sometimes God can’t hear us when we pray because according to Psalm 66 and Isaiah 5, there is sin in our life. “No.” Sometimes the Lord says “No” when we pray. While this can be a very difficult answer to receive, it’s still an answer, regardless if we understand His decision at the moment or not. God is able to reveal His strength in you and me when we are broken and weak. So there is a purpose when God says “No.” “Yes, I’ll forgive. Yes, I’ll heal. Yes, I’ll step in to help.” “Wait.” Sometimes the toughest answer to receive from God is “Wait.”
When this happens, we need to be reminiscent that God is in control and can certainly handle our situation. We need to allow Him to continue working in whatever way He sees fit. We can’t try to take back the situation, but must truly be patient and wait on God’s timing.
This is exactly what God said to Habakkuk. He told him, “Even though you don’t think I’m listening, Habakkuk, I am working on a plan that is so much larger than you.” The truth is, even though Habakkuk couldn’t see it, God was working the whole time. The same is true in your life as a follower of Christ. Worship center members I have learned that God values you, Jesus Christ died for you, and you will never go through anything that is not important to God. I also learned that God wants to work with you. If you’re in a holding pattern, have faith(trust, belief & patience) that God is working, and that He is Sovereign over all the details in your life.
God indeed does answer prayer, and, yes, all of your prayers.God's continued favor,
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