01/05/2018
God answers my prayers! Do you believe that statement without reservation? So many people of faith say this, but then spend much of their time and effort making excuses for why they don’t see results. If this is you then I ask “where is the faith in that?” If you truly know God, then you know Him to be absolutely trustworthy and of rock solid character.
“And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:22-24 ESV
My grandfather had a saying that he lived by and expected those around him to adhere to, and if they didn’t then he had no time for them. The saying was this...”A man is only as good as his word.” I don’t know where this saying originated, but it was a pillar of character that my grandfather not only held himself to, but judged others by as well. As a grandson I knew that lying, or going back on my word would bring certain punishment, but more than that... it brought the disappointment of my grandfather.
As I grew and went through life I became an excellent judge of character. I knew those who I could depend on to tell me the truth, those who would outright lie, and worse yet, those would be friends who subtly undercut the truth as they said things they never meant to stand by, and then, through deceit, went on to manipulate circumstances to their own good, and selfish purposes.
So which of these are you, and which do you believe God to be? How does our adherence to faith in God dictate who you are, and do you believe that God does what he says? According to my Grandfather’s rule of judgement are you a good man? How about God... is He good to His Word? If the answer to either of these questions is NO then your faith is flawed, God’s Word means nothing, and you might as well go back to the world.
As I read Andrew Murray this morning he spoke of the character of God, and the truth and dependability we find in His Word. He was affirming that God was indeed good. Listen...
“The value of the promise depends on the one giving the promise; my knowledge of his character and dependability creates faith in his promise. In the case of God our Father, there can be no doubt as to His character and power to hear and answer and provide.” - Andrew Murray
We know this to be true by looking at scripture and seeing time and time again that God stands by His promises. Our God does not waiver from the truth, and His promises are certain.
“For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you." And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.”
Hebrews 6:13-15 ESV
So when God speaks, why do we make excuses for Him... why do we doubt Him? We should be like Abraham and wait patiently in perfect faith, and yet we waiver, and instead of waiting, we begin to look for reasons why God might not answer our prayer. In fact, this is a very human trait, and is rampant in not only the decline of our faith, but also our society as well.
The teacher tells you that little Johnny did something bad in school today, but by the end of the conversation the problem has been redirected back towards the teacher. Little Johnny is excused, we need not punish him, and it was all the fault of the system, circumstances, or the teacher. Our imperfect child has been judged to be perfect. Johnny knows what he has done, but you have reinforced his belief that the truth really doesn’t matter. In doing this we continue to raise men and women who twist the truth and will make excuses for their children. This is a failing human character trait, and we use it as we incorrectly make excuses for God... when no excuse is necessary.
God stands by His Word, but our lack of faith in Him causes us to doubt, and to make excuses for what we feel is unanswered prayer, or a broken promise... we just can’t bring ourselves to call it such. In fact, the problem isn’t with God, but with our lack of trust in Him, and our inability to wait steadfastly in that trust.
We sing a song in church that we should live and worship by. The song is “Standing on the Promises” and the first verse goes like this...
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Have faith in God’s Word, and Faith that He will answer our prayers... if we adhere to our faith, and wait, He will not only provide, but has already provided. Read our opening scripture again (Mark 11:22-24), and pay special attention to the words “believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Our belief should be such that we don’t look for our prayers to be answered, but that the answer be revealed to us.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your steadfast character, and the truth in your Word. I thank you for hearing my prayers and answering them. Holy Father, increase my faith each moment of the day, and give me the strength of character it takes to trust in you, and stand by you as I await the revelation of your fulfilled promises. I have good reason to doubt many around me, but never let me doubt you, and your promises. You are perfect and trustworthy in all things... help me in my faith, and in my failing faith; my unbelief. My doubt is paramount to calling you a liar Lord, and in fervent supplication I beg you to forgive me for those times that I have wrongfully looked towards you and provided excuses. In fact, it was my shortcoming of faith that was failing me; not you. Praised be your name Father, and praised be your Word and truthfulness! I lift you up before all men, and wait upon the revelation of my answered prayers. You are great, and you are good; your Word is your bond, and my eternal hope realized.
Rich Forbes