Have you ever prayed bold prayers? You know, those kinds that “speak” and “declare” that something will happen out of faith?
I did pray those prayers many times, and by the grace of God, some of those prayers were answered.
Wait, Geline… why just “some”?
I know people would ask that. Skeptics, and even believers themselves will question, “If God is a powerful God, why doesn’t He let all good things happen? Or, to put it clearly, why does He allow bad things to happen?”
I’m going to admit, I have asked this question several times in my life. The first few times of trying for a baby, failing in my college exams, or even the death of my granddad–I am left in disillusionment, after much effort and prayers and I still didn’t get what I want.
You see, that’s the answer right there–“what I want”. The thing to really ponder on is to know “who” is sovereign in your life. Even when you perceive things to be “good”, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s what God should do to fulfill His purpose.
Sure, in earthly lenses, it may be “good” to pass an exam, to have a baby, or to keep my grandfather alive. However, getting all these things doesn’t mean that God’s purpose will be fulfilled.
Let me give you an example. A few years back I heard of the sudden passing of a man named Nabeel Qureshi. He was a man coming from an Islamic background but came to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ. After 12 years of being a Christian, having best-selling books, and sharing God’s love to fellow believers and other ex-Muslims, he died from an aggressive form of stomach cancer at the young age of 34.
I was thinking, “God, why did you take away the life of this man so soon? If he is to do the work for your Kingdom, then why end his life at the peak of his ministry?” I was also thinking, “Now that he died, it seems like those who want to come and know more about Jesus will now fear that they can’t leave their former faith behind because they think Nabeel was ‘cursed’.”
When I was at this thought process, that’s where God stopped me. He reminded me of this verse:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Who am I to think that it is best for Nabeel to live to advance God’s kingdom? Who am I to think that a “yes” to my prayers was the best way to fulfill His purpose?
I was taken aback when I realized that through Nabeel’s death, he ministered to me, and to other Christians. He let me know what real faith is, even in the face of death. Although reaching out to other people was his goal, God purposed his passing to speak volumes to other Christians on how to be steadfast and to trust His will in the midst of suffering.
True faith is this–it’s complete trust and abandon that God will make Himself known no matter what you go through. Even if the answer is “wait”. Even if the answer is no. True faith is when your bold prayers are met with a seeming silence, and yet you say, “it is well with my soul”.
I’m not saying that we shouldn’t pray about what we want anymore. It is still necessary to make our desires known to God, but I guess the real standard of true faith is being okay when it doesn’t happen because we know that no matter what, God is working all things for our good, and for His Kingdom.
Something that we often overlook that speaks great volumes is Jesus’ prayer before His crucifixion. Before His nailing, He prayed this prayer:
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)
Jesus knew the extreme suffering that He was about to go through. He asked a request, to let His crucifixion pass… and there was a clause. He said: “Not my will, but yours be done”. WOW!
In that very moment, the Father’s answer to Jesus was “No”. He didn’t take away Jesus’ cup–the crucifixion, the suffering and the death. And yet, at His most vulnerable state Jesus displayed total obedience by submitting to the Father’s will.
And so, the challenge to us is this: Are we willing to obey even if the answer is “no”, or “never”? Are we willing to accept that God’s will isn’t always exactly what we want? Once we learn to grasp these essential lessons through Jesus suffering, only then can we display true, unwavering faith.
