I don’t know anyone who hasn’t had some sort of doubt—even if only once or twice during their life—about God’s willingness or ability to rebuke sicknesses, demons, and every other form of human suffering.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if God always responded immediately to our plea by performing the miracles that we ask for whenever we ask? And wouldn’t it be great if whenever those old doubts begin to creep into our minds, we could ask the Lord to help us with our unbelief like the man did, and God would do away with them right then and there? But if He did, would we really learn anything? If God gave us everything we wanted, would it strengthen our faith in Him? Would it make us more dependent upon Him for everything, upon His grace to get through the tougher times in our lives? I seriously doubt it.

Since God only wants what’s best for us, (Jeremiah 29:11), His answer must sometimes be no. It’s like when a parent has to tell his or her child no. The answer isn’t given to be mean, it’s given to protect the child. When we get no for an answer, we need to keep in mind that it’s never good to lean on our own understanding, but to lean on God’s. Because we’re not omniscient, we have no way of knowing that if God gave us what we wanted every time we asked, some of those yes answers could do more damage than we could ever imagine.

An example of a yes answer that could have done unimaginable and long lasting, harm, let's take look at Matthew 26:39. In this verse, we can see that even Jesus had to go through something so horrible, so terrifying that He fell facedown onto the ground and pleaded: "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (NIV) Not only did He ask this once, but He asked God to let Him out of it three times. Nevertheless, Jesus accepted God's answer by going to the cross and God did what was best for everyone. The end result: the gift of Salvation is freely given to all who sincerely seek it and Lord Jesus is at God's right hand.

You may use this article as long as you keep the following byline intact: Copyright © 2008 Sandra Purdue. New in Christ? The Bossy Church Lady has answers! Visit my website at: http://www.thebossychurchlady.net Or read my rants and ramblings at: http://thebossychurchlady.blogspot.com

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Why Mike's Not a Christian: Understanding and Conversing with the Skeptics in Your Life By Ben Young with Sarah Fuselier / Harvest House Publishers Can most believers give a rational explanation for their faith? Have most skeptics ever heard convincing answers to their arguments? Author Ben Young creates an intriguing and insightful dialogue between a skeptic, Mike, and a Christian friend working through Mike's questions with thoughtful, biblical answers. Along the way, readers will discover responses to the most common reasons people say they are not a Christian: It's true for you, but not for me All Christians are hypocrites Evolution is true The Bible is full of myths All paths lead to God, not just one Openminded skeptics looking for answers or Christians looking for a way to articulate their beliefs more effectively will want this on hand. Ben Young is an author and speaker who enjoys dialoging with others about questions of faith and reason---as he does in Why Mike's Not a Christian. He has coauthored five other books, including The Ten Commandments of Dating, a bestseller, and Out of Control. He serves as an associate pastor at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. "Ben Young...understands what nonreligious people need in the way of reasons to believe. He also knows how to present these reasons. Readers will find in this book some of the best advice ever penned on introducing people to the Christian faith---with wisdom, gentleness, and respect." Dr. Hugh Ross, President, Reasons to Believe and author of The Creator and the Cosmos' Get this book up to 75% off!

God Bless!