01-10
Isaiah 55:8–9 (NIV)
"Unanswered Prayers"
A word from The General
One of the most difficult questions a Christian may ask is, "Why hasn't God answered my prayer?"
Several years ago, my younger brother Ken was diagnosed with a mass entangled in his spinal cord at the base of his brain. During the Covid season, Ken had become part of the Bible study group I hosted on Zoom. As we studied God's Word together, we grew closer than we had been in many years.
Ken was a servant at heart. He loved people and devoted much of his time helping others through his church's food pantry ministry. When word spread about his condition, many people began praying for him. Family members, friends, church members, business professionals, and countless others lifted his name before the Lord.
A highly skilled surgeon successfully performed the operation. We were hopeful that recovery would follow. Unfortunately, serious complications arose during the months that followed. Nearly one year later, my little brother went home to be with Jesus.
For a long time, I wrestled with the same question many believers ask. What happened to all those prayers?
Looking back, I do not believe those prayers were unanswered.
Ken experienced the love and support of countless people. God provided a gifted surgeon. The surgery itself was successful. Most importantly, Ken knew the Lord and entered His presence when his earthly journey ended.
The outcome was not what I prayed for. It was not what many prayed for. Yet I believe God had a plan that was greater than my understanding.
There are some questions we will not fully understand on this side of heaven.
Sometimes faith means trusting God when we do not understand His decisions.
Sometimes faith means believing that God is still good, even when life does not unfold the way we hoped.
One day, when we stand before the Lord, many of our questions will be answered.
Until then, we trust.
-The General
-In God We Trust-
Scripture
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
-Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Background
The Book of Proverbs was written primarily by King Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel. Solomon is remembered as one of the wisest men who ever lived. When God offered him anything he desired, Solomon asked not for wealth, power, or long life, but for wisdom to govern God's people well.
God granted that request.
Yet Solomon eventually discovered something that many of us spend our lives learning:
Wisdom alone does not remove uncertainty.
Even the wisest people eventually come to roads where the future cannot be seen clearly.
Proverbs was written to help ordinary people navigate life with God's wisdom rather than relying entirely upon human understanding.
Perhaps nowhere is that truth stated more clearly than in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Meaning of: "Lean Not on Your Own Understanding"
There is nothing wrong with understanding.
God gave us minds to think, reason, plan, and prepare.
There is wisdom in careful decision making.
There is wisdom in experience.
There is wisdom in seeking good counsel.
But there are moments in life when our understanding reaches its limit.
Sometimes God calls us to take a step before we fully understand where that step will lead.
That can be uncomfortable.
We prefer maps.
We prefer certainty.
We prefer knowing exactly where the road ends before taking the first step.
Faith often works differently.
God rarely hands us the entire blueprint.
More often, He provides enough light for the next step and asks us to trust Him with the
steps that follow.
Trusting God does not mean ignoring wisdom or abandoning common sense.
It means recognizing that God's understanding is greater than our own.
It means holding our plans loosely enough for God to redirect them when necessary.
Be encouraged today.
-In God We Trust-
