Unanswered prayer

“Have you ever wondered what would have been if God answered all your prayers?
Let’s ponder … If God had answered your prayers on the excellent school you dreamed, the tempting job you could enjoyed or gorgeous partner you wished to have that you might thought it was great, what might have been? Aren’t you glad that God didn’t answer you?” BSF Teaching leader asked this question last night as we studied Exodus 5:1-6:27 – Moses’ First encounter with Pharaoh.

“Yes! I am glad that God did not answer all my prayers especially those ridiculous requests” I told myself. WOW! It was so true that sometimes when I prayed for something, it gets worse before it gets better.

Exodus 5:22-23 Moses returned to the LORD and said, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all."

I am just like Moses by asking God “WHY?” I often judge the future with the current situation and focus on the problem instead of lesson God wants to teach me.

God did not answer Moses why He did that instead God told Moses His plans and promises. God reveals Himself and His plan through our disappointment and seeming failures.

I remembered Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane asking same request 3 times “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” [Matthew 26: 36-45] What would have been if the request was granted? I am thankful that Jesus took the cup (died of us) so that we who believe in Him are saved by His blood. Aren’t you glad now? To be personal with God is to involve with God!

We never satisfy till we empty ourselves! I like this clause from BSF notes “As long as we are full of ourselves, even in small things we are no use (useless) to God. When we die to self, we become vessels fit to God’s service.” Do you want to be God’s vessels? Let’s do it!