Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

The theme for this week was inspired by a text I sent looking for direction, and not receiving a response. Although a human response never came, the word ‘ANSWERS’ became a spiritual refrain. Therefore, this week we will follow the Holy Spirit’s direction and seek God’s wisdom on answers.

Our first search for answers will focus on what may seem like no response from God.

Today’s scripture, Job 19:6‭-‬11 (NLT) laments…
But it is God who has wronged me, capturing me in his net. “I cry out, ‘Help!’ but no one answers me. I protest, but there is no justice. God has blocked my way so I cannot move. He has plunged my path into darkness. He has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head. He has demolished me on every side, and I am finished. He has uprooted my hope like a fallen tree. His fury burns against me; he counts me as an enemy.

Consider…
Have you ever reached out to God for clarification or understanding about something that you’re going through, and not received a response? It seemed like Heaven had unpublished office hours, and was closed when you needed to hear from God the most.

Times when you begged God like the Psalmist…

• Lord, surely you can see what is happening. So don’t keep quiet. Lord, don’t leave me. – Psalms 35:22 ERV
• God, don’t keep quiet! Don’t close your ears! Please say something, God. – Psalms 83:1 ERV

For some of us, there have been times when God’s silence has been deafening. I remember saying those exact words to my friend in a dark season of my life.

Yes, there may be times when we ask God…”Are You listening?”

Today, the Holy Spirit is telling me that just because God doesn’t respond the way we want or expect, it doesn’t mean He’s not listening or acting on our behalf.

Here’s an example the Holy Spirit gave me. When Paul ask the Lord to remove the thorn (2 Corinthians 12:8-9):

• God’s reply to Paul’s unwavering reply was my grace is sufficient.
• The fact that Paul asked multiple times means he was looking/hoping for a different answer
• Paul wanted deliverance, but God wanted Paul’s dependence.

Like Paul, we often bombard Heaven asking God to take our problems away, and each time God is responding, “Trust My way.”

Priscilla Shirer profoundly said, we keep asking God for an Oak tree and He says here’s an acorn. God is focused on giving us what we need, so it may seem like He’s silent on responding to what we want.

For example, let’s look at a subtle statement slipped in Luke’s account of Jesus’ agonizing prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane…
He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. – Luke 22:41‭-‬43 NLT

The Father’s answer to His Son’s prayer, wasn’t a comforting reply, rather it was angelic strengthening. No verbal response, just needed strengthening.

Often God doesn’t say something to us, He just does something for us.

It’s easy to overlook God sending angels to strengthen us, as His answer to our weakness. But that’s exactly what He did through Jesus, according to Romans 5:6 (NLT), which explains…
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

In Matthew 6:7‭-‬8 (ERV), Jesus taught…
“And when you pray, don’t be like the people who don’t know God. They say the same things again and again. They think that if they say it enough, their god will hear them. Don’t be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Our Omniscient Heavenly Father knows and answers before we think to ask.

That’s why Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
encourages us…
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Notice Paul said thank God for what He’s done. I believe Paul is telling us to both…

• Remember what God has done in the past
• Know what God has done in advance

Let that marinate. In God’s silent response, take heart in knowing that He already knows what you need and has already done it for you!

Still, I can’t seem to shake this revelation of grace to endure being God’s predominant answer to our prayers.
God’s answer came before not after our need. That fact underscores God’s grace provided His answer to, not in response of sin.

So today, I encourage you to stop praying for a reaction from God and instead seek to recognize and embrace His answer that has been provided. That’s what Paul did when He said…
…So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:9b‭-‬10 NLT

I believe God’s default answer to everything we encounter is Grace! That’s because regardless of what we want, God’s Grace is what we need. Whether it’s grace to overcome or grace to endure, it’s still His Grace!

Therefore, pray in faith that God has listened before you asked, and already done what you need Him to do.

Stop asking for the responses you want from God and start seeking the answer He already provided. When you do, you’ll stop asking Him…”Are You listening?”

Today’s song is…
Are You Listening

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)