And God answered

How many times in scripture has 'God answered'? Innumerable. Do you recall ANY instance of Him not responding to a prayer, a request, a question... anything? Obviously I believe He always responds. Could the problem be that we haven't always been alert, listening for the answer? Or, maybe the answer isn't the one we want? But have you had occasions when the Lord didn't answer you? 

   "I sought the Lord [on the authority of His word], and He answered me,

    And delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4, AMP)

Two important parts indicated: 1. seeking on our part and 2. my fears. I sometimes wonder if how we act is based on our expectation that if we head toward trouble or find ourselves there, that automatically the Lord will act on our behalf. Why? Why should He? If we haven't sought Him, are we vain enough to believe that He is/should be at our 'beck and call'? The other component is that is 'my' fears. Real? Imaginary? What is the definition and status of the fear? Regardless, we have His assurance that He will deliver us from ALL fears. All we need to is... seek and ask.

   "On the day I called, You answered me; And You made me bold and 

    confident with [renewed] strength in my life." (Psalm 138:3, AMP)

Point - being answered. But look at what you receive - bold, confident, renewed strength. We aren't suddenly and miraculously whisked out of the trouble and gently placed on solid ground. No, that isn't absurd because somewhere in the back of our minds I think that we hope this might happen. I suggest and strongly believe that part of the answer is to expect an answer but to not predetermine what that answer is. Remember that God says 

   "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor 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 

    higher than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55: 8-9, AMP)

If you are going to turn the Lord, then let Him be Lord. He knows best and has our best interests at heart. Thus His answers are perfect. We should focus on what we bring: asking and trust. And let the Lord do His thing knowing He has the perfect answer. And then... there's this admonition:

   "You do not have because you do not ask [it of God].You ask [God 

    for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong 

    motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that 

    [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] 

    desires." (James 4: 2-4, AMP)

Hmmm... do these scriptures give us a clearer understanding about God's answers, our behaviors, and a realization on how all that works together. If nothing else, remember God's words to us - I will NEVER leave or forsake you. And He doesn't... He always answers. Do we listen and understand our part?