God’s Denial has Purpose

“Ask for anything in My name and I will do it”. (John 14:14).

I attended a church planning meeting where they discussed dwindling finances. A young man brought up this scripture; “all we have to do is ask.” he said. But several months later, the church closed due finances. This working or failing of this verse always brings up a lot of opinions.

In Mark 14:36, Jesus struggles to face His upcoming crucifixion. He prays, “Father, all things are possible with You, make this cup pass from me.” (LSV) Jesus knows that if God should choose, He could remove this cup of Christ’s sufferings and bring redemption to mankind in another way, “for all things are possible with you.”

As everything originates with God, He could have ordained redemption in another way. But He did not. God did not answer the prayer of Jesus because God had a greater mission for Him. Jesus knew the Father’s plan and accepted the will of the Father, “nevertheless, not what I will, but You will.” (Mark 14:36).

In John 11, Lazarus is dying, and his sisters, Mary and Martha, asked Jesus to come “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” (John 11:3). But Jesus deliberately delays until Lazarus has died. He says to the disciples,“I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe.” (John 11:15) Mary and Martha were crushed by the inaction of Jesus. They were His intimate friends. They loved Him and He loved them. They knew of His power to heal and believed He would come to their aid. But He did not. Jesus intended to teach the sisters and His disciples something that they did not know and could have never imagined. Not only could he heal the sick, but He could raise the dead. This demonstration of power was to glorify the Son of God so “that you may believe,” that He was the Messiah.

We all suffer, we pray for God’s help, and we hope and expect Him to come to our aid. We expect based on what the Bible teaches us of God’s love for us. We trust He will respond to our prayers. But sometimes He does not respond as we expect. We are bewildered, broken in spirit, and wondering why. No matter what your circumstances are at the moment, no matter what prayers are yet unanswered, God has purpose and is working out His plan for you. Trust God and do not fear what you cannot see. You cannot see as God sees.