Why Doesn't God Answer Me?
In fact, this can be divided into 2 groups:
- God answers, but you don’t notice
- God really doesn’t answer you
God answers, but you don’t notice
We know from the story of Elijah that when he fled from Jezebel and hid in a cave, God spoke to him. Let's look at the relevant verses:
1Kings 19:11-13
„And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"”
So God was not in the wind, the earthquake, the fire but whispered softly. But don’t think that God speaks to everyone this way. Because He speaks hard and scary to his enemies. But Elijah was not an enemy of God, but a beloved. Namely, God loved him so much that Elijah was raptured to heaven.
2Kings 2:11
„And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”
So those who don’t hear God’s voice may not be paying enough attention. Their lives are too noisy to hear the voice of God. In such a case, time should be devoted to nurturing or establishing a relationship with God. And this can be accomplished by reading the Bible, meditating on it, and praying about it.
Psalm 1:1-3
„Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”
What else could be the reason you don’t notice God’s voice?
You want to hear something other than what God is saying to you. You may not think so, but this is one of the most common problems among Christians. God’s wisdom is far greater than our wisdom. God can make a way for us, give us solutions we don’t even think about. In many cases, we imagine the process of salvation and focus so much on it that we don’t even realize that God is working differently.
Isaiah 55:8-9
„For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
God has basic answers to everyday life
God is constantly speaking to us, but not necessarily specifically or personally. For God has global calls to all people. To the unbelievers primarily to repent, and to the believers to remain faithful followers of God. It is the Holy Spirit who speaks to us every day that reminds us of what Jesus told us.
John 14:26
„But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
This is how God keeps us on the narrow path if we truly listen to His word.
God really doesn’t answer you
This is not necessarily a bad thing.
Trial
It can be a trial to see what is in our hearts. This is similar to when a small child is in a party with his parents, for example. Children behave better in the presence of parents. But if the parents are not present, the children will show what their nature really is. The best known example of such a trial in the Bible is Job, who persevered throughout. Or King Hezekiah, whom the Lord has forsaken, that the condition of his heart might be seen.
2Chronicles 32:30-31
„This same Hezekiah closed the upper outlet of the waters of Gihon and directed them down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works. And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart.”
There is no need for an answer from God
If God sees us where He wants to see us, there is no need for correction. Usually a new believer has more experience with God because he really needs it. Like when a child is small, the parent needs to help with more. But when children are bigger, they need parents less. They no longer need to be fed or dressed, meaning there is no need for parental care in basic things.
1Corinthians 14:20
„Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.”
God does not enter into communion with us
This is when we do not live our lives according to His will. God is holy and does not commune with sin. That is why it is important for Christians to have a clean life so that God can have fellowship with us. Just think of the example of Jesus. The Father was with him at all times, but when he took upon Himself our sins on the cross, the Father turned away from Him. Maybe we would be bigger than Jesus that this couldn’t happen to us?
Let us live a holy life that pleases God!
Hebrews 12:14
„Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
Antal Farkas
(February 19, 2021)
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