What are we to think when we have prayed but the Lord doesn’t answer? As creatures limited by time, we can find waiting very frustrating. However, God doesn’t perceive time as we do. He knows the end of a matter before it has even begun. His knowledge reaches from eternity past to eternity future, and nothing is hidden from His sight.
Furthermore, His compassion and lovingkindness surround those who belong to Him. He allows difficult circumstances in our life, not to destroy us but rather to build up our faith and bring us to spiritual maturity. Sometimes He withholds answers because they are not spiritually beneficial for us.
Psalm 25:9-10 teaches that waiting on the Lord requires at least three things:
- Instead of demanding that God do things our way, we must humble ourselves so He can teach us His ways.
- We must trust the Lord’s leadership, knowing that all His paths are established on His lovingkindness and truth.
- We must be obedient to Him—which sometimes requires waiting and trusting.
If God seems slow in answering your prayer, realize that He hasn’t left you but is redirecting you onto His path.
And that’s the memo.
By Charles Stanley and InTouch Ministries
