How and When

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:23). "God makes a home for the lonely" (Psalm 68:6). "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. . . . He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children" (Psalm 113:7&9). "Who heals all your diseases" (Psalm 103:3). "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go" (Psalm 32:8).

These are a sampling of verses that Christians claim and cling to for action they want God to take in their lives. Often, however, believers are frustrated and discouraged when they don't see the desired answers. Their hearts cry out, "God, You have said this, but when will You do it? Why don't I see Your answer?"

As a starting point, one must accurately consider how to evaluate verses like these. Are they actual promises? Are there stated conditions for the promise? Are they promises to a particular Biblical character or group of people? Are they statements of general fact or habitual action? Are they general principles? Not every verse can be considered a promise for every individual.

Considering the healing of illnesses, for example, God does heal. He is the Great Physician, and His healing is often incredible to the point of being unexplainable by human doctors. Every disease that is healed is through God. God did make specific promises of healing to certain people and groups in the Bible, but He does not promise healing of every disease for every Christian. In fact, Scripture clearly reveals that the absence of healing is sometimes God's plan.

People will disagree to some extent about which of the verses above are actual promises for every individual and which are principles or general statements. Even allowing for possible misinterpretation of a verse's intent, however, there is a basic level at which these verses can unquestionably be understood. These verses definitely reveal God's character and reflect common ways in which His loving heart is practically displayed toward His children. Even with expectations at that level, Christians can still become frustrated and discouraged. Individual Christians wonder when God will show His love to them in these practical ways. They wonder when God will answer their prayers and intervene in their lives. They want to know when their faith will be rewarded.

Faith is always based on the Word of God. It is not merely a feeling or overwhelming sense that God is going to do something. Therefore, Christians must be careful about claiming specific personal results: I will get married, I will have a baby, I will get that job, I will have financial stability, I will be healed, or that individual will get saved. Certainly, Christians can have faith in God's power to be able to do those things. They can know that God can perform those actions, and they can even know that such action would be consistent with God's character, but they cannot know that He definitely will perform them in a particular situation.

There are promises that are unquestionably intended for every believer. "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8). "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time" (I Peter 5:6).

Even with these certain promises, Christians sometimes struggle to see the answers. They still become impatient and frustrated. It is instructional to note that even when there is a specific promise for a specific person, the manner and timing of that answer does not always fit human expectations. Abraham, for example, and many others never saw the fulfillment of what God had promised them, but that doesn't mean God did not keep His word. "All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance" (Hebrews 11:13).

In fact, these delays or disappointments in seeing answers are the perfect environment for exercising faith. Faith at its very core is about believing what is not seen or what cannot be seen. Faith does not require understanding how and when God will answer; it requires confidence that He will answer. While the how and when are sometimes overwhelmingly important to an individual in need, the manner and timing of the answer cannot consume him. Those aspects lie within God's wisdom and power. God will answer. He will act in love toward His children. He will respond in keeping with His character. The exact timing of His visible response and the precise method of His answer will be determined by Him.

While a believer waits for an answer that is in keeping with God's character and consistent with the principles of the Bible, or even that is clearly revealed as God's promise, he must continue trusting God. Rather than demanding immediate results, he must recognize the possibility of his own limitations and fallibility. Perhaps he has not accurately understood the verse he is claiming. Perhaps he hasn't understood the method of God's answer. Maybe he hasn't prayed enough or waited long enough.

Although there are things outside man's ability to understand, Christians can trust God. They can keep following and serving Him while they wait. They can respond with submission, praying, "Father, answer in Your time and in Your way. I choose to trust."