Wait For Your Answer
"Then he continued, 'Do not be afraid Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come." Daniel 10: 12-14
As we read in those verses, we know that Daniel prayed a specific request to God. We also know that he did not get an answer immediately. What must have gone through Daniel's mind I wonder? In those days of waiting for the answer, did he ever doubt? Did he wonder if God heard his prayer? Did he believe God would answer him? While I don't know the answers to those questions for certain, I do know that Daniel was a man of great faith. I believe that he did not waiver. I believe that he took God at His word and knew that God would indeed answer his prayer. It was his faith in God that overcame any doubt that he may have had. Daniel was no different than you and me. I am sure he struggled with the same issues and questions that we struggle with today. What was the key? Daniel trusted his God.
He is a great example for you and me today. When we pray, we must believe that He does hear us. "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil (1 Peter 3:12)." In other words, the Lord listens to the requests of all who are righteous or in Christ. And if you are in Christ, your desires will line up with His. That is why Jesus tells us to "Have faith in God! I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself in to the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours (Mark 11:22-24)." When we pray according to God's word, He promises that it will happen. The question is, will you wait for God to answer? Often times, we pray for something and then give up when we don't receive the answer in the time that we thought we should. God is not limited to time. Remember that He sees the end from the beginning. He knows what is best and He knows the exact moment that you need to receive your answer.
As we wait on God, our faith is strengthened. We learn to persevere. I am reminded of the parable Jesus told about the persistent widow. She kept on going to the judge with her plea for justice against her adversary. She did not back down. The judge eventually gave in to her plea and granted her justice. Jesus told us this parable to show us that we should always pray and not give up. (Luke 18:1-5)
What have you been praying for? I want to encourage you today, to not give up until God gives you the answer. In the waiting, we tend to want to "help" God out. We want to try and do it ourselves because we want a quick fix, however, this will only lead to disappointment. Wait on God, and only listen to His voice. "As for God, His way is perfect (2 Samuel 22:31)."
God wants you to trust Him. If we always got everything we asked for immediately, we wouldn't learn anything. Now, I did not say that waiting is easy, but it will be worth it!
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him (Isaiah 30:18)."
As we read in those verses, we know that Daniel prayed a specific request to God. We also know that he did not get an answer immediately. What must have gone through Daniel's mind I wonder? In those days of waiting for the answer, did he ever doubt? Did he wonder if God heard his prayer? Did he believe God would answer him? While I don't know the answers to those questions for certain, I do know that Daniel was a man of great faith. I believe that he did not waiver. I believe that he took God at His word and knew that God would indeed answer his prayer. It was his faith in God that overcame any doubt that he may have had. Daniel was no different than you and me. I am sure he struggled with the same issues and questions that we struggle with today. What was the key? Daniel trusted his God.
He is a great example for you and me today. When we pray, we must believe that He does hear us. "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil (1 Peter 3:12)." In other words, the Lord listens to the requests of all who are righteous or in Christ. And if you are in Christ, your desires will line up with His. That is why Jesus tells us to "Have faith in God! I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself in to the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours (Mark 11:22-24)." When we pray according to God's word, He promises that it will happen. The question is, will you wait for God to answer? Often times, we pray for something and then give up when we don't receive the answer in the time that we thought we should. God is not limited to time. Remember that He sees the end from the beginning. He knows what is best and He knows the exact moment that you need to receive your answer.
As we wait on God, our faith is strengthened. We learn to persevere. I am reminded of the parable Jesus told about the persistent widow. She kept on going to the judge with her plea for justice against her adversary. She did not back down. The judge eventually gave in to her plea and granted her justice. Jesus told us this parable to show us that we should always pray and not give up. (Luke 18:1-5)
What have you been praying for? I want to encourage you today, to not give up until God gives you the answer. In the waiting, we tend to want to "help" God out. We want to try and do it ourselves because we want a quick fix, however, this will only lead to disappointment. Wait on God, and only listen to His voice. "As for God, His way is perfect (2 Samuel 22:31)."
God wants you to trust Him. If we always got everything we asked for immediately, we wouldn't learn anything. Now, I did not say that waiting is easy, but it will be worth it!
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him (Isaiah 30:18)."
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