He Will Hear

"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness." - Isaiah 59:1-3 (Also see: Proverbs 28:9, James 4:3, Jeremiah 14:10)Several years ago, I was talking to a teenaged boy who affirmed that he was raised in a devout Christian family,yet, he now wrestled not only with God's abilities, but His very presence. The boy stated, "What has God done for me lately? I prayed for Him to help me through some tough situations last year, and nothing happened!"

When I delved into this young man's life, I found a teen who had drifted away from a family who was worried sick about what appeared to be their son's downward spiral. I also found a teen who had given in to peer pressure, was now using drugs and alcohol, and no longer giving careful consideration to his diet and health. In his attempts to fit into the "cool" crowd at school, he decided that studying was not "hip", but rebellion and disrespect was "in". I asked the young man, "Well, what have YOU done for God lately? I mean, was it God who abandoned you, or was it YOU who turned your back on God?"

Why is it that we sometimes expect God to be a door mat that we can step all over, throw to the side, and then pull Him out when it is convenient for us? Then, when we don't get our way, we shake a fist in anger toward the heavens, cursing God for not bestowing upon us the desires of our heart. God always answers a pure heart, but various scriptures declare that there are several reasons why God cannot answer prayer. Such causes for unanswered prayer are hypocrisy, neglect of God's laws, forsaking God, idolatry, self-righteousness, lack of faith, asking amiss and living in sin.

Our sins separate us from God, and where there is not genuine repentance, there cannot be forgiveness. Why? Because sin is contrary to the nature of God; He cannot dwell in a heart full of abominations.

God always answers the prayers of those who love Him, but just as our earthly father sometimes has to say, "no" or "wait a little while", so too does our Heavenly Father. Just as no truly caring parent will give in to all his child's often selfish requests, we must learn to love God enough to trust His wisdom, because He alone can see the bigger picture.

If you feel that God has not been listening to you, please take a good, honest look at your treatment of Him and others. We may be able to fool others, but God knows the true contents of our heart.

Call out to God in sincere repentance today. He WILL answer.

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Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2003 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living Ecstatic Loving: How to have more peace and joy in marriage, and life in general by walking in harmony with God," and "Son Salutations: A refreshing collection of modern inspirations for those who seek God each day." For more information, visit her web page at www.angelfire.com/mi/melschurr