I heard a powerful thought as I was driving home from helping my daughter move sheep. One of the joys of our move to Missouri is the opportunity to be close enough to help and be helped by our son-in-law, daughter, and grandchildren. One of the weekly tasks is moving the sheep from one paddock to another every five to six days. It’s fun. Fun to see the sheep. Fun to see and talk with my daughter. Fun to watch the grandchildren grow, and we could not ask for a better son-in-law.
Another joy is the presence of Bott Radio, an all-teaching radio station that fills the airwaves with various teachers who are consistently good and faithful to expound the text of the Scripture and minimize their opinions. Wonderful. On the drive home, Dr. Erwin Lutzer was finishing up a message with these words (paraphrased):
“Your relationship with Jesus is based on an unanswered prayer. Jesus prayed a prayer in the garden that the cup of judgment would be taken away, and the Father said, ‘No,’ and aren’t you glad? If the father had answered that prayer, you and I would still be in our sins, still under the judgment of God, still without hope in the world, still destined for an eternal separation from God.”
Have you ever thought about all the good that has come about because God did not answer some of your prayers?
He is infinite; I am not.
He is holy; I am not.
He is infinitely good, and wise, and just, and compassionate, and merciful; I am not.
When God says no to my prayers, He has good reasons. He doesn’t have to tell me what they are. But because of His essential character, I can trust Him. Frankly, when I think of some of the repercussions of having some of my prayers answered, I’m glad God said no to my prayers.
I once prayed that God would never call me to the pastorate. And then He did.
And I am glad.
I once prayed that God would allow me to marry a woman my dad warned me about.
I’m glad he didn’t answer that prayer! I would have never met my bride, who has given me three children and 41 years and counting of joy and goodness that I don’t deserve.
I once prayed that I could become the owner of a minor league baseball team.
Glad that didn’t happen.
So today, I’m thanking God for unanswered prayers. Maybe you should, too.
Related, from other blogs:
Eight Years of “YES!” (from Kate)
ChosenRebel's Blog 