Dare to Remember That God Gives Good Gifts to His Children
When I studied today’s Faith Dare, my blog turned into a full-fledged Bible study exploring the often misinterpreted passages of Scripture that leave many believers disillusioned when their prayers are not answered as they expected.
If you are interested in an in-depth study of what the Bible says about answered and unanswered prayers, as well as my personal story of how I learned to have faith in God no matter what the outcome, I believe you will really be blessed by this: “Why Doesn’t God Answer My Prayers?”
Answers to Today’s Questions…
Today’s truth is speaking to me…
Faith does not mean that I can get whatever I want on a whim if I believe hard enough. It is trust that however God responds is for our best. To me faith is confident expectation that goes beyond our physical limitations. It is trust and certainty that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He said He will do. It is an unshakeable belief that His ways are always best, even when they don’t make sense.
This was a difficult, yet very significant lesson that I have learned through my life. I used to think that if I said the magic phrase “In the name of Jesus,” I could have anything my heart fancied. However, praying in the name of Jesus means to pray according to all of who He is, according to His will, and what is in line with His character.
He loves to lavish us with good gifts, and we should never be afraid to come to him and ask for what we need, or even want. We just need to have faith that his answer is the very best. It pleases Him to answer our prayers and to bless us; however, if we haven’t received what we asked for, it doesn’t mean that he hasn’t or won’t answer. We can trust that He will give us what is the very best for us and in His perfect timing. When we don’t get something we ask for, it is either because He has something better, or we just may not be ready for it yet.
We may not always agree with His decision or understand it. It may not seem like a good thing to us at the time either. However, there will come a time when we will look back and say, “Thank You God for answering my prayers in a much better way than I could have ever imagined! Thank you for the way it turned out and for what I learned from it.” He protects us from our limited understanding and withholds things that are not good for us.
We do need to understand and trust that whatever God gives to us or allows in our lives is always for our good when we love Him and live according to His purpose for us.
God is asking me to…
Praise Him and give Him thanks while I wait and to trust His answers. I will pray in faith with a better understanding of what that means. I am not to be afraid to ask for big things or to feel that God won’t do something wonderful for me. I must trust that He is always a good God and wants only the best for me.
When I pray, I must check my heart for the motive behind my prayers. Is it for the furthering of His Kingdom? Or, am I asking with selfish motives? Are my heart’s desires in line with His? Then, I need to trust Him for the best outcome, and all in His perfect timing.
My challenge is to…
Rest in Him even when things don’t go my way, or when it doesn’t make sense to me. To trust Him fully and have no doubt that He will come through in His perfect way and in His perfect timing.
To worship Him with all of my heart regardless of the outcome. To trust in His wisdom and guidance.
Today’s Prayer…
Father, help me in my disappointment and unbelief. I choose today to thank you for bread, good answers and good timing. I choose to trust that doors will open when it’s safe and time for them to open. I choose to trust that you are the sovereign controller of circumstances.
Favorite Quotes…
“God gives good gifts. God gives bread not a stone. Your prayers will be answered from on high because your good God has heard every one. The doors knocked on will be opened, but only when it’s safe to open them and only when it’s time for you to receive what is behind the door. God is good. Claim it, stand in it, thank him for it. Rejoice today that you have a God who loves you more than anyone could ever love you.”
The fact that I hadn’t gotten the answer I was looking for did not mean God hadn’t heard or hadn’t answered.”
“The answer will come in God’s time because everything is about a bigger picture. But surely in God’s time the answer will come in the form of a good gift. Whether it is the answer I wanted or expected is not important; the important thing is that God will give the right gift and answer to prayer at the right time.”
“God is love and God is good. He cannot work in any way except that which expresses who he is and is in line with his character. So I can relax and trust a good God and his answers and timing.
“Today I believe that God has heard your prayer and is working in his timing.”
“Thank Him that He has only good gifts for you. If your prayer is unanswered, then the good gift just isn’t there yet – it’s not right, not time.”
“I have a heavenly Father, and He knows what I need and provides all I need.”
