God Answers Prayer but Will We Like the Answer?

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 83

 

James 5:16

 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

(ESV)

 

Prayer is a vital part of serving the Lord because it is how we communicate with God but God answers prayer according to His will and in His time. God’s answer to our prayers is yes, no, or wait. Since we can only see what is occurring now, we have no problem with an immediate yes but struggle with an answer of no or wait. In Psalm 83, Asaph has not received an instant yes answer to his prayer and struggles with waiting for an answer.

 

The Psalm begins with Asaph wondering why God keeps silent (Psalm 83:1). Apparently, Asaph has made his plea to God regarding the plans of Israel’s enemies against them before. He then presents his case by, reminding the Lord that these enemies are in an uproar and have raised their heads against Israel, laying crafty plans and collaborating with each other (Psalm 83:2-3). They are working together to completely wipe out Israel as a nation and the complete removal of the memory of them as a nation (Psalm 83:4-5). Asaph then lists the names of Israel’s enemies (Psalm 83:6-8).

 

Asaph then moves on to tell God what he would like to see happen to these enemies by reminding God of how he handled enemies of Israel in the past. He reminds the Lord of the defeat of Midian as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon (Judges 6-7; Psalm 83:9-10). He then asks God to make the nobles of Israel’s enemies like Oreb and Zeeb and their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna (Judges 7:25, 8:1-21; Psalm 83:11-12).

 

Asaph then makes a heartfelt plea to destroy Israel’s enemies. Asaph wants to see the enemies of Israel become like a whirling dust or like chaff before the wind (Psalm 83:13). He wants them destroyed like a fire consumes a forest and sets mountains ablaze (Psalm 83:14-15). Asaph wants the enemies of Israel put to shame so they may seek the Lord (Psalm 83:16). He wants them put to shame and dismay forever and to perish in disgrace that they may believe the Lord is the Most High over all the earth (Psalm 83:17-18).

 

This Psalm once again has Asaph in anguish of heart over the threat of attack on Israel by her enemies (Psalm 83:3-8). While the text does not provide the historical context of the writing of this Psalm meaning we do not know the specifics about when this occurred but based upon the number of nations attacking Israel, we know the situation is serious. Asaph believes God is keeping silent but still offers up another prayer to God. His prayer asks for God to deal with Israel’s enemies as He did in the past to Midian, Sisera, and Jabin at the river Kishon (Psalm 83:9). While God does not need a reminder of His past actions, Asaph does need a reminder to provide comfort to his anguished heart. Asaph concludes with his desire that the nations attacking Israel would know that the Lord alone is the Lord and the Most High over all the earth (Psalm 83:18).

 

When we pray to God, he hears us (Psalm 139:4; 1 John 5:14–15; 1 Peter 3:12) and will answer us but, will we like the answer? God’s answer to our prayers is Yes (Joshua 10:12-14), No (Matthew 26:36-46), or wait (Genesis 12:1-4; 17:1-4,19-21; 21:1-3). When the answer is wait, like it was for Asaph, we can begin to believe God did not hear us but in hindsight, we know God heard Asaph for Israel did return to their land and lives in it today. However, Israel still has enemies seeking to remove them from the land but has the promise of restoration with the promise of a descendant of David on the throne for eternity (Ezekiel 20:33-49; Jeremiah 33:17).

 

The text of Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that as we wait on the Lord, we gain renewed strength, mount up on wings like an eagle, run without weariness, and do not faint. Asaph provides an example of what to do while waiting,

 

1)      Be genuine with God, letting him know you believe he is silent, reminding Him of the situation (Psalm 83:1-8).

2)      Ask God to bring complete destruction to the situation troubling your heart (Psalm 83:9-17).

3)      Acknowledge God as the Most-High God over all the earth (Psalm 83:18).

 

If you are reading this and have not made a profession Of Jesus as your savior, receiving complete forgiveness of sin, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

We must remind ourselves that God always hears and answers our prayers, but the answer may be to wait. While waiting we must be genuine and honest with God, remind ourselves of how God has helped us in the past, and remember our Lord is Most High over all the earth. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.