If you are like most people, you have probably asked this question a number of times. For some of us, it seems like God is asleep on the job, so to speak, because the reality of our individual circumstances seem to shout at us ever so loudly. We are tested on every side; our relationships, health, job, finances, to name a few, and somewhere in the back of our minds is a nagging doubt as to whether God is paying attention or not. Can He really do anything, and if so, why doesn’t He?
We could ask the same question as we look at the chaos that continues to take place in various parts of the world. Following the national and international news is potentially depressing. No longer are we talking about rumours of war, we have more wars going on than most of us realize. Earthquakes, tsunamis, famines, droughts, terror attacks to name a few, are the order of the day. Where is God? Didn’t He promise, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14, KJV)? If the world was a corporation of which God was the CEO, the board of that corporation would probably consider replacing Him for failing to deliver what He promised.
The Bible is the only resource we have that speaks of God’s ability and integrity. It is His Word and we are told that He cannot lie. In Numbers 23:18 we read, “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” Those are serious questions we need to ponder. Whatever God said, He will do, and whatever He has spoken, He shall make good. That’s about as solid an assurance of God’s ability and integrity that one could get. The interesting thing is that Jesus prayed, and therefore there must have been no doubt in His mind that prayer does make a difference; it works.
We can rest assured that God is not indifferent to the things that are important to us (1 Peter 5:7). Persistent prayer works, and though the answers we seek may not be immediately realized, it does not mean that God is not working on our behalf. Don’t give in to discouragement; He is faithful to them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations (Deut. 7:9). PUSH through; keep on Praying Until Something Happens.