Getting an Answer - Martin Wiles

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Psalm 17:6 NLT

Almost gone are the days when a real person answers a business line for customers with an issue.

As I sat at my church office desk, I noticed a message on the landline phone: “No Line.” Strange. I rounded up the phone bill, located an account number and customer service number, and dialed the number. I didn’t expect to get a real person, and I didn’t. An automated voice answered and prompted me to enter the account number in question. I did. Then I had to choose a number that related to what I was calling about. I did. Once in the technical department, they wanted to know exactly what kind of technical problem the line had.

This process continued for what seemed like an eternity. I could feel my patience thinning and my blood pressure rising. I kept waiting for, “If you want to speak to a customer service representative, press zero.” The option never came. Finally, I pressed zero, thinking it would get me to a live person. Wrong. I heard, “Goodbye.”

Although I placed the work order successfully, I doubted they’d understand or actually fix our issue without someone there to direct them. Our situation was unique.

The psalmist never experienced what we in our high-tech world encounter. Talking to individuals was a way of life. And in his case, probably a few sheep too. As he was alone on the hillsides, he no doubt composed numerous prayers to God—and believed God heard and would answer each one.

Getting an answer from God is never a problem. How He listens to all people—millions at the same time—and how He answers all our prayers is beyond my comprehension. But He does. He is God, after all. God’s answers come in the form of yes, no, and not right now.

When I pray according to His will, I always get a yes. When I ask for something that’s sinful or not in my best interest or in God’s plan for me, I receive a no. Sometimes my request is in God’s will but the timing is wrong. Then I receive a not now answer. While waiting is difficult, I must learn to do it if I want to experience God’s best.

Never doubt that God hears and will answer your prayers. Trust Him to know what’s best for you.

Tweetable: Are you getting answers from God?

Prayer: Father, we petition You, believing You will answer and that Your answer will fulfill our deepest needs. 

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