Receiving the Answers

Receiving the Answers

I hope you asked God some questions! Now we need to prepare to hear the answers. Most commonly we have heard that God answers us in three ways- Yes, no and wait! In a recent teaching by Erwin Lutzer, he used these words to describe some answers to our prayers- "Sometimes the answer is disguised, sometimes the answer disappoints, sometimes the answer is a disaster and at times the answer is denied." Ouch!

Habakkuk asked the questions and now in chapter 1 verses 5-11 he gets a response. God tells him "Yes, Habakkuk, I have seen the sin, the trouble and the utter chaos going on. Yes, I have a plan and I am up to something." Sounds good so far! Then God reveals His plan. God is going to use the Chaldeans, a nation more unrighteous then Judah, to rise up and punish the evil of the land. Can you picture Habakkuk with his fingers in his ears at this point? But he listens and he responds differently. He still asks "why" a few times but we start to see a change of attitude. In Habakkuk 2:1 we find that Habakkuk has changed from his initial time of questioning to a time of determination. "I will stand my watch, and set myself on the rampart (tower) and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected." He becomes determined to stand watch and continue to seek God. He will set himself in the tower to hear what God will say. He gets alone to listen to God's voice. He becomes expectant knowing God has more to say to him. Habakkuk becomes submissive and we see Habakkuk's will fade and God's will prevail.

Has your answer come in a disguise? Left you disappointed? Facing a disaster? Was the answer denied? This is not the time to crumble. This is the time to stand firm, get alone with God, and submit your will to His.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble... Cease striving and know that I am God." Psalm 46:1, 10 (NASB) Take a moment and read Psalm 46 in its entirety. No matter the answer He will get you through!--Kathy Withers is on staff full-time at the Keswick Book and Gift Shop. She is married to her husband, Dave, and has two adult children. Kathy is active in her local church. Her passion is the Word of God and encouraging women to dig deeper into the truths of the Bible