Why Won’t You Answer Me God?
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:2-8
I cry out to God. I cry out to God. I cry out to God. Help me! Help me! Help me! Oh Lord, what is your will for me? Speak to me, oh Lord. Silence. I cry out to Him more. And more. Day after day. Oh God, why won’t you answer me? Don’t you hear my cries? Don’t you know my need? Speak to my heart, oh Lord! Silence. Why won’t you answer me? Why doesn’t God answer me? Have you been there? Have you cried out to the Lord, over and again, begging Him for answers, imploring Him for direction, seeking voraciously His wisdom, then feeling discouraged, deflated, even scared, unable to hear His answer? But doesn’t He promise wisdom for those who seek His face? God won’t break His promise to give us wisdom when we ask, will He? Oh, God, answer me! Why will you not hear my cries?
Then I remember He did answer me. Over and again. Clearly. He always answers clearly; He is God. But am I listening? Are you listening? He told me this. Wait and trust me. Be patient. I kept crying out to Him. I keep crying out to Him. He had more to say. He told me if I really trust Him, I don’t have to have answers right now. I kept crying out to Him, and still do. He told me more. He essentially told me I need to learn to be okay with not having answers yet, that I have always rushed ahead and acted presumptuously, without waiting for His wisdom, will, and time, acting in my own flesh, because I was so desperate to have answers, to have everything figured out, to move ahead. Still, I cried out to Him, and continue to. Then He showed me this. His promise in the book of James regarding giving us wisdom does not mention a time frame. He does not promise when He will give His wisdom, but simply that He will. And His promise for wisdom comes just after saying when we go through trials, we should be joyful and must have patience, and that He essentially is perfecting us. He also makes clear we need faith to receive wisdom, not doubt as I so often have had. God, why won’t you answer my cries? He will. In His time. For His glory. And, in the waiting, He will further conform me to Christ. Are you crying out to God for answers? Persevere.