Do You Trust God—or Just Want Answers?
When God’s answer isn’t what you hoped for, will you still trust Him?
Since childhood, I’ve been taught that God answers prayers “Yes,” “No,” and “Not now.” Seems simple.
Yet, the Bible teaches, “no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV) and “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 NIV)
But, how is God graciously giving us “all things” when he appears to be saying “No,” or “Not now”?
How is he being gracious when we reach life milestones when it’s best we stay in a hospital and not go home?
Or when, after a lifetime of independent mobility, we are told not to drive?
Or when someone precious to you is suddenly taken?
Is Scripture mistaken? Is God a liar?
The questions are short-sighted because when we ask them in that way we’re acting as if the universe revolves around us, individually. We act as if we’re unique and there’s not 8 billion other people thinking the same about themselves. When we think God should answer every prayer in the manner we deem appropriate and pray for, we’re forgetting that Jesus submitted to the Father and heard him say, “No.”
When?
Each of the Gospels records how on the night Jesus was betrayed he earnestly asked the Father to find a different solution than death on a cross. Matthew 26:38-42 describes Jesus, “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” Luke 22:44 adds, “being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
I mean, if anyone should have his prayer answered, wouldn’t it be the perfect Son of God? Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Too frequently we speed read this passage without considering the emotional cues we’re given. Jesus was distraught! He didn’t say a quick prayer, he struggled through it. He repeated it. He took long, sobbing pauses! “Take this cup from me!” was not a formula prayer—it was Jesus, the man, asking for an alternative solution!
But in his spirit, he heard the Father say, “No.”
And Jesus willingly, but with great anguish, submitted. “Not as I will, but as you will.”
Giving us what we want is not the same as giving us what He has promised us. God’s promised rewards are awaiting the Believer—and giving us those things, “is not nearly as difficult as handing Christ over to death for our sake” (Ambrosiaster).
If you’re frustrated that God does not grant your important desires, don’t lose faith. Remember, God HAS given you ALL things, but he reserves some of those things to give you in your eternal home.
Today, in your pain, ask for understanding. Even without an answer, choose to trust Him and pray, “Not as I will, but as you will.”
