Monday, February 27, 2017

Why Prayers Not Answered? 6 (HP06)

Luke 18:2-8  saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
 
This parable has been wrongly interpreted and is used by rebellious Christians to force God to answer their selfish prayers. How do you like when your son keeps reminding you of your promise when he has not fulfilled his part of the bargain?
 
"Dad, don't forget that you have promised to take me to Disneyland!" "Well, son have you obtained 5As in your Std. 6 Exam (6th grade) yet?" "Dad, the Exam is still 7 months away." "Then why do you keep reminding me all the time as though I cannot be trusted? Wait till you get your 5As and then I will take you to Disneyland." "Dad, please keep your promise and don't forget."

Brethren, our Father in heaven is not the unjust or merciless judge. He will always come to our rescue when we are wronged, persecuted or in danger, before we can call out to Him for help.

Mat 5:44-45a  "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;...."
 
However, God many a time will use this type of situations to refine us (by not rushing to rescue us), until slowly we are transformed to be like Him, so that when the Son of man comes, He will find real faith in us.

Brethren, this is heresy when we reduce our righteous and loving Father the Almighty God to be like the unjust and merciless judge, by constantly reminding Him in our prayers 'to keep His promises'.

Let us examine ourselves and see whether we have fulfilled our part of the agreement by loving Him with all our heart, our strength, our might and our soul, and to love one another as Jesus had loved us. Have we also abode in His will and kept His commandments, word, sayings and teachings?
 
Well, if we have not kept our part of the bargain, then it is only out of His mercy and grace to reward us with His love, peace, joy, healings, encouragements, meeting our needs, comforts, consolations, riches and many other great gifts. We must always be grateful and thankful for whatever our loving Father is constantly giving us, for these are in fact the best gifts meant for each one of us at that moment.

Mat 7:11  "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"