Author: Stephen Thomason

Why God Sometimes Doesn’t Seem to Answer Prayer
Intro:
1. God’s promise is that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Rom 8:28.
2. But Robin is dying of cancer!
3. Why did Dana have to die?
3. Why, when you pray for things, do they go wrong anyhow?
Acts 1:1-8
I. Sometimes You Don’t See the Big Picture
A. ILL: Amy’s Kitten.
1. Kittens are safe in trees.
2. But Amy doesn’t see things the way adults see them.
B. God sees everything in context whereas we tend to only observe the immediate.
1. Esther was queen of Persia at just the right time to save her people (Esth 4:14).
2. ILL: Time is like a terrarium.
3. Ps 90:4 - For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.
4. II Pet 3:8-9 - But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
II. Sometimes the Problem Would Become Worse If Answered
A. We see things distorted – God sees them as they really are. ILL: Dan’s kitten’s silhouette in the evening sun.
1. Rom 11:33 - Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
2. I Cor 1:18 - For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
3. I Cor 1:25 - For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
4. I Cor 3:19 - For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness";
B. Thankfully, there was a time when He didn’t answer my earnest prayer! Example – ILL: My application to Grace Theological Seminary.
III. Sometimes the Timing is Not Right
A. God’s timing is not our timing; it’s better!
1. Abraham questioned God’s timing – no son to inherit his property (Gen 15:2-5; Heb 6:15).
2. The Lord hesitated 2 days before going to raise Lazarus (Jn 11:6)
B. Promises to wait on the Lord.
1. Ps 37:7 - Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
2. Lam 3:25 - The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.
Pray earnestly. Pray believing God will answer.
But – always trust the Lord for His best for you!