God says in Proverbs 8:17, "I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me." Jesus also states in Matthew 7:11, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!" He preached about the God of answers. Then, to what kind of people are God's answers given?
Those Like Abraham who have unchanging faith
Abraham had perfect faith to believe God unchangingly so he neither doubted the Word of God nor disobeyed. Since he believed the almighty God who revives the dead, he could obey immediately when God told him to offer his only son Isaac as a burnt offering (Hebrews 11:19). So, God set him up as the forefather of faith and gave him all kinds of blessings such as children, good health, wealth, and fame.
Many people doubt and disobey when things do not agree with their thoughts, and they complain. Although they say they believe, they turn to doubt without deciding whether to believe or not to believe just like the surf of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. So, the Bible says that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6-8).
Those like Cornelius who fear God and do good
Cornelius and all his family had a reverent fear of God. Though he was a Gentile and a centurion that belonged to Rome, he gave alms to many Jewish people and prayed all the time (Acts 10:1-2). His prayer and charitable works reached heaven and God blessed him by sending Peter so that he, his family, his relatives, and even his friends could receive salvation and the Holy Spirit.
Acts chapter 9 talks about a disciple in Joppa named Tabitha (translated is Dorcas). When she died of sickness, other disciples implored Peter to come. When Peter arrived, widows there wept and showed all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. Moved, Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." And surprisingly she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. Tabitha who had been devoted to good deeds and charitable works touched God's heart.
Those Like Elijah who pray fervently
Elijah was a prophet who proclaimed the will of God during times of Ahab and Ahaziah in northern kingdom of Israel. In those days, his nation was suffering from serious drought for three and a half years due to idol-worshipping of King Ahab and the people of the nation. He prayed earnestly and brought down God's answer of a downpour through prayer (1 Kings 18:42-45). He cried out in prayer so earnestly that his stomach cramped and it caused him to bend down to the earth and put his face between his knees.
Jacob wrestled with the angel sent by God at the edge of the Jabbok River until the socket of his thigh was dislocated. He sought God in prayer. Jacob's older brother Esau was going to Jacob with 400 men to kill him, but God urged him to make peace with Jacob and the lives of all Jacob's family members were preserved.
Those Like Solomon who worship God in spirit and truth
After King David, Solomon became the king of Israel. Before ruling, he offered up 1,000 burnt offerings to God with his heart. It is not easy to offer up 1,000 burnt offerings. In the Old Testament times, many limitations are bound to follow in terms of place, time, offerings, and ways. Solomon went up there before the LORD to the bronze altar which was at the tent of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
God was pleased with Solomon who offered a thousand burnt offerings and blessed him. God appeared to Solomon in a dream at night and He said, "Ask what you wish Me to give you." Then, he asked wisdom to govern the people, not wealth and glory. God took delight in his asking so He gave him not only wisdom but also wealth and glory. The offerings in the Old Testament refer to worship services today. If we love God and worship Him in spirit and truth during services, we also can receive answers and blessings from God.
Those Like David who seek after God's heart
David was a boy but he had faith and boldness. He said to King Saul that he would go and fight with the Philistine, Goliath, who despised God's troops (1 Samuel 17:32). Unarmed, he went to Goliath only with a sling and five stones and knocked him down by slinging a stone. David killed Goliath with Goliath's sword. Through this, Israel was able to achieve a great victory.
In ways like this, if we have faith that is bold like David's, even though we are faced with a great problem that seems impossible to be solved, nothing is a problem. Just as God said to David, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will" (Acts 13:22), we can receive answers to whatever we ask, if we have a heart that seeks after God.
Those Like Joseph who follow after God's righteousness
Joseph was betrothed to the Virgin Mary. Then, he heard that Mary had conceived a baby though they hadn't come together. Joseph planned to send her away secretly because when it was revealed Mary would have been stoned to death according to the Law. Since Joseph had such a good and righteous heart, he met an angel of the Lord and heard the message of God as said in Matthew 1:19-23.
Most people insist on what they deem right, and some of them even force others to follow their opinions. They think peace can be broken to accomplish something. But, God has no consideration for one who breaks peace although he is doing things right. God's righteousness is to cast out sins with reverent fear for God, to practice His Word, and to obey Him with faith.
Excerpts from the 1st chapter the 'God of Answers' in Dr. Jaerock Lee's Book I Will Do It
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