Why a Promise is Better Than an Answer/God Answers His Promises (WWPM Version)

Intro

Story of Grandpa passing away when I was in school

Every week when we gather to pray, on the screens are several prayer requests that you have sent in throughout the week.

And as we read those prayer requests, one thing is very obvious.

Life often strays outside of the neat little box that we wished or imagined for ourselves.

Loved ones get diagnosed with or dies of cancer.

You lose a job.

A child goes astray.

Friends fall prey to addiction.

You find out your spouse cheated on you.

We don’t plan for these things, yet they happen.

Life strays outside of our neat little box

And at times it can feel like we are simply left to struggle in our pain, and we live life looking for answers.

And our desire for answers is often two layers deep:

We want an answer to resolve the problem (answered prayer)

We want answers as to why it happened in the first place.

One of the things that I love about the Bible, is the Bible is as real and transparent as our struggles are.

You would think that the Bible (which is our source of truth, wisdom, inspiration, instruction, healing) would put all those strayed pieces of our life, back into the neat little box.

Provide all the answers to all the questions or needs we have.....but it doesn’t.

The Bible is clear where it matters most

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

But in many areas of Scripture, things are left vague and ambiguous.

There aren’t always clear answers to questions.

But what if that was the point?

But what if the questions/ambiguity/vagueness/the not knowing are invitations to something better?

Issues of Ecclesiastes

King Solomon wrote one of the most interesting books in the Bible....Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes evaluates a lot of life circumstances and concludes that “All is vanity”

Vanity is used 38 times in Ecclesiastes.

Everything is futile, pointless, unproductive, unprofitable.

In other words many things happen that seem to have absolutely no structure, purpose, or redemption.

And on the surface, there are several “discouraging conclusions” that Solomon seems to come to.

Let me list of couple of them and tell me if this sounds familiar.

Solomon says, “This doesn’t make sense God, what are you doing?

Ecclesiastes 1:14-18 “14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. 15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted. 16 I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” 17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind. 18 For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.”

Problems:

Things are crooked or messed up.

God has purposes I don’t understand, no matter how much I know, no matter how much I search it out, no matter how much I reason, it just adds sorrow to my life.

Not everything that happens in life has an explanation, or can be reduced to a neat little system. There is frustration and perplexity.

How can we explain God, or how He works, how can we explain what He allows to happen?

Solomon says, “Life is unfair”

Ecclesiastes 8:14 “14 There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.”

Why do bad things happen to good people? Or why do good things happen to bad people? It is the opposite of what it should be.

This isn’t right, it’s not fair.

Maybe you have felt that way....

“God, I gave my life to you.....I surrendered everything......I loved you with all my heart.....I tried the best that I could.....and you still let this thing happen to me. It’s not fair.

Not only that, but to seemingly add insult to injury, God will answer the prayer needs of others around you, but seems silent in your requests.

We praise God for the answered prayer requests that come out of the prayer meeting, but here is the reality, and we all recognize this whether we want to think of it or not:

For every person that stands on this stage with a testimony of answered prayer, there is another person in the congregation or online with the same need and same prayer, that may never see it answered in this life. Why?

Why do some people get their prayers answered and others don’t?

The infertile couple

Healing from fatal disease

Marriage reconciliation

Solomon comes to this conclusion in his musings:

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

Commentary - In light of humanity’s limitation and God’s supremacy as seen throughout the book, the only proper attitude in life is one of trust and obedience to God.

If we were looking for answers, this is not necessarily a very comforting ending, to a somewhat depressing book.

You may think you are entitled to answers.

But at the end of the day, Solomon says God is sovereign, He knows what He is doing when I don’t, and my disposition is simply to fear God and respect His commandments.

Some of you right now are thinking....”This is the most discouraging message I’ve ever heard.”

But it doesn’t end here.

In the midst of all this.....does that mean we should give up on prayer and give up in despair? NO!

Thankfully, God doesn’t Lord his sovereignty over us.

He doesn't take on the tone “It is what it is, just deal with it.”

In the absence of answers, whether that is answered prayer requests, or answers to questions of “why,”

He has given us something far more precious.

And here is the invitation to something greater.

Promises

We might not have all the answers....but we do have His promises.

God’s promises are available when life’s answers are unavailable.

And they touch on every area of our lives.

Promises

Ever-present - Do you struggle with loneliness? Have you been hurt and betrayed by the people in your life?

Deuteronomy 31:8 “8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.””

Joshua 1:9 “9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””

Justice - Does your heart hurt for the injustices that have happened to you and that you see in this world?

Romans 12:19 “19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.””

Grace/Mercy - Do you wonder how you can get through the day? Do you question how in the world life can go on for you after experiencing a traumatic life event, or some loss?

Isaiah 40:31 “31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 “9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Love - Do you struggle believing anyone truly loves you?

Romans 8:38–39 “38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Peace - Do you struggle with anxiety, and fear concerning your situation?

John 14:27 “27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Matthew 11:28 “28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Purpose - Do you struggle seeing why anything matters?

Romans 8:28 “28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

These Scripture here don’t even begin to scratch the surface of the incredible life-sustaining promises of God

There is nothing wrong with questioning and wanting answers

But something shifts in our hearts and minds when we start living in His promise, rather than living for an answer.

Because here is the reality

An answer will never do for you what a radical promise will!

Because his promises are an invitation into a trusting relationship with God Himself.

Speaking to people

To those who have been writing in and have started getting discouraged because you have not seen your prayer answered.

We are going to keep praying and believing with you, but in the absence of an answer, hold on to God’s promises.

To those who have been having so many doubts because you can’t move on until you can make sense of the things that have happened in your life.

Hold on to His promise.

Consider these words attributed to a Civil War soldier who died in battle

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health, that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. I asked for riches, that I might be happy; I was given poverty, that I might be wise. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life; I was given life, that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing I asked for, but everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among men, most richly blessed.

God is beyond our understanding, but we can always bank on His promises, and on His goodness.

Salvation

If you’re listening tonight and you have never placed your faith in Jesus Christ, tonight you can take hold of the greatest promise ever given.....the promise of salvation.

1 John 1:9 “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Solomon rightly identified sin as the problem…but there was another problem....we were also helpless to do anything about it.

That’s why Jesus came and died for our sins and paid the penalty we couldn’t pay.

How does this promise become a reality in my life?

Jesus called it being born again.

Admit - Sinner in need of a savior. Recognizing that God is not the bad guy....the evil around me is because of sin, of which I am responsible.

Believe - Jesus died and rose again for you sins.

Confess - Jesus as Lord of your life. Trust God and live in obedience to Him!

I want to close us out with a prayer of salvation.

If you want to be born again, I’m going to close with this prayer, and repeat after me!

Let’s all pray this together

Salvation Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus I believe you're the son of God. I believe that on the cross you took my sin, my shame, and my guilt, and you died for it. You faced hell for me so I wouldn't have to go. You rose from the dead to give me a place in heaven, a purpose on earth, and a relationship with your father. Today Lord Jesus I turn from my sin to be born again. God is my father, Jesus is my savior, the Holy Spirit is my helper, and heaven is my home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, we would love to know about it, and to connect with you and provide some next steps for you.

So if you made the decision today to follow Jesus, Text DECIDED to 51000, and someone from our team will be in contact with you.

Communion

We are going to go into a worship song, and then come back together to partake in communion.

And if you placed your faith in Jesus tonight, I want to invite you to take communion with us, maybe even for the first time in your life.

Why we do communion

Communion is a time for followers of Jesus to reflect, remember and celebrate all that Jesus has done for us.

It’s a time remembrance– at how Jesus died for us on the cross. How his blood was spilled for the forgiveness of our sins and how his body was broken so that we can have new life.

It’s also a time to look forward – we look forward to the day when he returns.

We are going to go into a time of communion

If you are joining us online, feel free to grab some crackers and juice, or whatever you have at home.

For those here in the sanctuary, we have little communion cups available on the table at the back.

If you missed it on the way in, feel feel to make your way back there now to grab a cup.

We are going to go into a song and then I’ll come back and lead us into communion together.

Take communion together

1 Corinthians 11:23-27 - The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Pray