“[1] The spiritual promises – for forgiveness of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for power to do His work – are always available (see Acts 2:38-39). But [2] the promises for temporal blessings, even for life itself, are given on occasion and withheld on occasion, as God’s providence sees best.” Morris L. Venden, 95 Theses on Righteousness by Faith, (Pacific Press 1987), p.60

A LITTLE DIFFERENT

Let’s look at a good example in Isaiah 43:2 NKJV,

“When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”

God kept this promise in a wonderful way for the three friends in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3). But on the other hand, the reformers Hus and Jerome were burned at the stake in Constance.

We could say that their prayers weren’t answered.

But nevertheless, weren’t they answered in a fashion that we aren’t acquainted with? Why? A papal writer described the death of these martyrs as follows,

“Both bore themselves with constant mind when their last hour approached. They prepared for the fire as if they were going to a marriage feast. They uttered no cry of pain. When the flames rose, they began to sing hymns; and scarce could the vehemency of the fire stop their singing.” E.G. White, The Great Controversy, p.109

If someone is burned, they can only scream. Their behavior shows that God did intervene, just not in the manner which is readily visible for us – they were answered “a little different” than we can think it was the best way! This shows us that the temporal promises still have significance for us.

THANKING FOR THE ANSWER

Another important aspect, when our requests have been granted at the moment we asked, then it is right to thank God for the answer in the next.

Our thanks at this moment expresses our trust in God that He has answered our prayer and that we expect it to be fulfilled when we need it most.

Some believers notice something immediately after they pray. But for many believers it is similar to Elijah’s experience: The Lord wasn’t in the storm, in the earthquake or in the fire, but rather in the still, small voice (1 Kings 19:11-12).

If after a long period of time you think that nothing had happened but there will be a moment that you will notice that many things had taken place.

CHANGE MY THINKING

This means, it is necessary to change my thinking at this moment,

“... but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” (Romans 12:2 NKJV)

Now it is correct to say,

Thank you that you answered my prayer.

Thank you for already granting my request.

Thank you that I will experience it at the right time.

This is not self-manipulation. With self-manipulation you are trying to persuade yourself. When you have prayed with a promise, then you have a divine basis for my changed thinking, because you have already been answered through faith.

In this case, if you don’t change your thinking, then you are showing God that you don’t trust Him, but rather you trust in your feelings – a feeling-oriented type of person.

This behavior places God in the position of a liar and will thus not receive anything. It is also important that I act accordingly, even when I don’t notice anything.

IT COMES DOWN TO TRUST

God always integrates the necessity to believe. He wants us to trust Him. Think about the crossing of the Jordan River. The priests first had to step into the water and then the water divided. Naaman had to dip in the water seven times before he was healed.

Maybe you are saying, “I can’t do that. I can’t even imagine doing that.”

Please remember that there are a lot of things we can’t explain. To this day, we don’t know what electricity is, although we all use it. To this day, we don’t know how children learn to talk. But they all learn it.

“In the natural world we are constantly surrounded with wonders beyond our comprehension. Should we then be surprised to find in the spiritual world also mysteries that we cannot fathom?” E.G. White, Education (1903), p.170

Let’s think about Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV,

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Here we find clear prerequisites from God for this promise of directing our paths.

Every prerequisite is also a commandment.

If we aren’t sure that we have fulfilled the prerequisite, then we may pray for willingness with the surety that the Lord will answer us immediately.

“...but if you are ‘willing to be made willing’, God will accomplish the work for you ...”  E.G. White, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing (1896), p.142

Our prayer today (and every day from now on) should be,

“Lord, I believe… but if I don’t, help my unbelief.”

Trust!

QUESTIONS FOR MEDITATION & DEVOTION

1. What are the types of promises? Which one is the hardest to understand?

2. Do you remember a prayer you made and God answered a little different than what you asked? What were the lessons you learned after that?

3. When it comes down to trust, do you have a specific biblical promise you like to remember?

4. Why should we thank God in our prayers?

5. Use the search tools and find promises that you may be needing for the moment you are living.