Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
“He has never failed to honor believing prayer. He may keep you waiting for a while, but delays are not denials. He has often answered a prayer that asked for silver by giving gold. He may have denied earthly treasure, but He has given heavenly riches of ten thousand times the worth, and the suppliant has been more than satisfied with the exchange.” Charles Spurgeon
God hears believers’ prayers
Each of us has prayed and waited for God to answer. Each of us has prayed and wondered if God has heard our prayers. We have prayed and prayed and prayed some more. Doubtless, none of us enjoys the uneasy space between asking and receiving. And yet, God is pleased when we offer our prayers and requests to him and believe first (that he hears us) and second (that he will answer our prayer).
We must pray Thy will be done
Isn’t it amazing that God’s Word tells us that he wants us to know and believe that he is the rewarder of those who seek him? Lest we mistakenly believe this means we will receive blessings of the material kind for simply believing, we must understand that God’s greatest blessings are of the spiritual sort.
God only wants our good in light of eternity
Often, I fear, we ask for silver when God desires to give us gold. We see only the human and material realm before us and pray for that which only satisfies us temporarily rather than eternally. God who sees our past, present, and future, tailors those answers to our prayers accordingly. He so wisely takes into account of all time and eternity when he answers our prayers with his divine plan in mind.
God is never late in answering prayer
And while he has us in the waiting stage, then too, God’s eternal purposes come into play because he is busy stretching us, growing us, and remaking us into the image of his dear son Jesus. God surely understands our struggle with delays to answers to our prayers and he compassionately bestows the grace upon us that we require to press through the seasons of waiting with a hope-filled, faith- infused gratitude-drenched heart that willingly submits to his perfect plan (and perfect timing) for each of us.
Practicing Grace and Gratitude
- Grace and gratitude from God –Anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. In prayer this week, I’ll focus on giving thanks for the grace God bestows on me to wait on his perfect answer (and timing) in a way that pleases him. I will give thanks even before my prayers are answered knowing that God desires only that which is the best for me.
- Grace and gratitude in me – Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This week I’ll take time to write down specific instances when I prayed for something and God didn’t answer right away but had me wait. I’ll recall my thoughts, feelings, and how God stretched me spiritually during the process. Specifically, I’ll make note of how in hindsight God used those seasons of waiting to grow me.
- Grace and gratitude in life – Without faith it is impossible to please God. This week, I’ll do a word study on verses that include “faith” in them and I will read through these texts and write down several to carry with me throughout my week.
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