The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
Unanswered (Answered) Prayers
Sometimes prayers that seemingly must be answered apparently go unanswered. And sometimes, prayers are answered that appear not to have been.
Had we been in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, we might have earnestly sought the help of God for a man unjustly accused and tried for crimes against the state. The horrible injustice of Roman execution by a cross awaited the accused if found guilty.
"Father, this man has done nothing amiss! On the contrary, He has done all things well! I have seen Him help so many by His words, His actions, and even miracles that certainly You inspired and empowered! Please, Lord, save this man from the terrible fate that will cause Him undeserved shame, suffering and death. Please, Lord, help this man!"
No nobler or more well-meaning prayer could be offered for an innocent man. If answered, however, the consequence would have meant the eternal damnation of the entire human race.
"Ought not Christ to have suffered these things?… Christ died for our sins… we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Luke 24:26; I Corinthians 15:3; Romans 5:9).
God would not and could not have answered such a sincere prayer, as prayed. He sent His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the world for the very purpose of suffering and dying for us. However, it could be said that God did actually answer, albeit in a far greater mode and measure than the supplicant who prayed could envision. God saved His Son from death by resurrection from the tomb rather than deliverance from the cross (Hebrews 5:7). Moreover, He saved us from death by the freely given deliverance made possible by our Lord's cross and empty tomb.
"And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in His sight… God raised Him from the dead...Ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God" (Colossians 1:22-23; Acts 13:30; 2:12).
More to the picture than meets the eye always occurs when God is involved. If good and noble prayers seemingly go unanswered, it may be that our Lord's response involves far greater purposes than we can perceive. Yes, sometimes a cross is His answer, a cross that serves as prelude to a resurrection that could not occur without death. His ways transcend our understanding as the bestowal of His grace often winds through dark valleys of pain, sorrow and loss. "We went through fire and through water, but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place" (Psalm 66:12)
2,000 years ago, seemingly unanswered prayers on behalf of a just man led to eternal salvation for multitudes of the unjust. The same principle may apply when our current prayers apparently find no response from the heart and hand of God. He may well be accomplishing a purpose far beyond our comprehension, some means of redemption that requires a death to make possible a resurrection. Long ago, prayers were doubtless offered for a just man nailed to a cross. God answered by leaving the Lord Jesus thereupon until He died, and then by raising Him from death unto life everlasting for Himself - and for us.
"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."
(Ephesians 3:20-21)
Memory Verse
"We went through fire and through water, but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place."
(Psalm 66:12)
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