Waiting for God’s answer?

You are facing a decision in your life: do you go right, or do you go left? And you ask God to give you an answer, but that answer does not come… let alone that the answer is written on a wall in sixfold. So what do you do then? Do you keep waiting (if that is even an option…) or what?

Let’s take a look at some examples:

and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

That verse is more than clear; it indicates that we should attend gatherings and also explains why. So, asking that question in prayer to God… and then expecting an answer in sixfold, in writing? Not necessary. If you read that Bible verse six times, you already have the answer, right? 🙂 Or would God suddenly give you a different answer than He has already provided in His Bible? No. God is clear in His Word and will not deviate from it. You can pray for whatever you want, but if you do not want to listen to that answer… the problem is not with God, who is not answering, but with you, who perhaps does not want to hear His clear answer already given in His Word? Oops.

2: Use the wisdom that God has already given you.

Suppose you are gradually becoming overwhelmed at work. The pressure is too high, the employer is unhealthy, or name another issue. And you might ask God, ‘God, give me, in sixfold, an answer to my prayer about whether I should look for another job.’

God has given you wisdom; use that wisdom/brain. Asking God for a decision like this, when, if you simply used your brain properly, it really shouldn’t have been a question at all… is that wise? With the mind that God has given you, you truly know what the answer is, and if we go back to point 1… take a look at 1 Corinthians 3:16–17

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Net zoals je de tempels met respect behandelt, moet je je lichaam ook met respect behandelen. Door gaan in je huidige baan, overspannen raken, is dat goed rentmeesterschap over het lichaam wat God jou heeft gegeven? Oeps… Gebruik je verstand wat God jou heeft gegeven.

3: Are you calm or restless about your decision?

This one is a bit more complicated… because you can only apply this well if you have a good grasp of point 1 and if God’s Spirit is truly within you. Why?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7)

Whether you have a good feeling about something cannot and should not be a guiding principle, as your own feelings can sometimes be VERY wrong. A poor example is sex outside of marriage: Perhaps your feelings are very calm and you believe that it is permissible. But the Bible is VERY clear that it is not allowed (Hebrews 13:4, Exodus 20:14, and more).

However, if the Holy Spirit is within you, and you even think about a topic like that, this will happen:

And He (The Holy Spirit), when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment: regarding sin, because they do not believe in Me; and regarding righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you no longer are going to see Me; and regarding judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. (John 16:8-11)

The Holy Spirit is the one who convict us of sin, not to condemn us, but to make us aware that sin is sin, so that we avoid that sin. So, do you feel restless about a choice? Think again about who might be giving you this restlessness… That restlessness could very well be the answer you were waiting for…

4: Ask a fellow Christian!

If you have understood the explanation of point 1, then you see why you should go to church. To encourage one another. Part of that encouragement involves asking questions. Dear brother or sister, I have a question; could you, with God’s help, think along with me regarding my issue?

Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in an abundance of counselors there is victory. (Proverbs 11:14)

God has given you His advisors. Seek out a good advisor who walks with God and ask for advice.

Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed. (Proverbs 15:22)

So do not just seek advice in the first bar / pub you come across, but seek God’s advisors. They have been given to you by God; make use of them.

5: What is your own preference?

If you have gone through points 1 to 4 and you need to make a choice between two good options… Do I eat an apple or a banana? Both are good and full of vitamins… Why do we ask God? He has given you two choices, both are fine, have passed through tests 1 to 4, so why are we waiting for an answer, in sixfold, from God? When you walk with God, He also gives you beautiful, good things from which you may choose in His freedom. Something to think about.

6: Do we really trust in God… or…

If we truly trust in God, in prosperity and in adversity, why do we still want to maintain control ourselves? Is your urge for control sometimes greater than your trust in God?

The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord. (Proverbs 16:33)

My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)

Do we really trust in God? Suppose you make the wrong choice; do you think God is not powerful enough to change that choice? If you make the wrong choice, could it then become a valuable learning point given by God for your future? How great is your trust in God?

7: In conclusion…

And we conclude with a very thought-provoking question to each individual: Perhaps we ask God for a sign too often and end up waiting unnecessarily. Meanwhile, it is already very clear what He wants. Maybe we, as humans, focus too much on signs and wonders… while God is so clear in His word:

But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign; and so no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet; (Matthew 12:39)

Do we really trust in God? Are we truly listening to what He says through His Bible? Do we genuinely want to listen to the Holy Spirit? Are we using our sound judgment, or are we secretly on a quest for more, more, more wonders and signs for ourselves to hide our own unbelief? Or, even more intriguingly… do we actually know the answer, but would prefer not to know it? Oops… Something to think about…