AN UNRESPONSIVE GOD!

AN UNRESPONSIVE GOD!

James 4:3

3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Ps 37:7-8

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

          Two reasons are presented for the silence of God during our distress. The first is the reason we fear and the second is the reason for which we hope! The first condemns us and the second consoles us. The first is silence deserved and the second is an answer delayed.

          James straightforwardly tells us that there are times when God does not answer because we have asked amiss. The word amiss is the Greek word kakos and means “diseased, evil, or sick.”  The reason for our asking is likened to a physical illness that needs to be cured. God is not going to answer a request that will harm us. His silence is a mild rebuke.

          But the experience of many believers is that God is often slow to answer what we think are urgent cries. In those cases we can do nothing but to rest in the Lord, and wait. The verb “rest” means “to be silent or still” and indicates calm surrender. Literally, we need to stop struggling. The word “fret” means to glow or to burn. The least amount of tender causes us to flare up. The familiar admonition is to “cool it!”

          James calls for a cure while the Psalmist calls for calm. If God has been silent, perhaps it would be good to evaluate your heart and your behavior. God is not likely to reward a sinful child. If, on the other hand, you feel your causes are just, we are called upon to simply wait for God to unfold his plans and purposes. Nobody likes to wait but we are often asked to do so.

          If God is silent, think back to the last time He spoke and you knew He was speaking to you. Has sin crept in and stopped His voice? Then you need to repent and be reconciled to God. If sin is not the problem perhaps you simply need to obey His last command. In combat often the last command a soldier receives is “hold until relieved.”

Lord, we have occasionally experienced your silence. Sometimes it is a well deserved rebuff of our errors. Sometimes we are left waiting while you are being mysterious. Teach us to wait patiently. AMEN