We’ve had so many undeniable answers to our prayers lately.  God provided a car that met our needs and our budget,  (Sold the RV we lived in for a year while we built our house, then bought the car for that exact amount to the penny.)  A man we didn’t know from our church did three days of excavating work for free and told us to give whatever we could to the church.  Our old car was bought by the son of one couple in our small group so we didn’t even have to advertise it.  Friends at church are helping us get wood chips for cheap for our berms so weeds don’t overtake us.

Yet Husband and I walk around with a hole in our hearts that aches every day.  Some of our kids aren’t making wise choices and it pains us.  Our contact with them is spotty and shallow.  We long for their well being and for a restoration of relationship.  But it isn’t happening and the years roll on.

So what do we do when God doesn’t give us what we ask for?

These truths are what keeps me afloat.

God is sovereign.  He rules.  He was powerful enough to make everything and he is powerful enough to be in control of everything he made (even when things seem out of control to me).

I love the story in the fourth chapter of the book of Acts that Husband read to me for our daily reading this morning.  Jesus’ disciples had been threatened by the same governing body that conspired against Jesus and had him killed.  They could have shrunk back in fear.  Who wants to be crucified?  But instead, they laid it all out at God’s feet.

“When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.”

God has a plan.  He knows what is best in the long run.  We usually don’t see the big picture.  We see only the here and now.

“They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.”

Referring to the conspiracy against Jesus ending with his death- “They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.”  Humanly speaking, it was a bad thing that an innocent man should die.  But according to God’s plan, Jesus had to die- for a greater good.  Nothing is random.  God has decided what will happen.  We aren’t adrift in a mindless universe.  Everything is going according to plan.

God cares and listens.  We have a refuge to run to.  A caring, listening ear.  An invitation to bring our concerns to the One who loves us.  So thankful that God understands my aching heart.  My pain doesn’t go unnoticed.

“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

God provides.  He is ready to help us.  He is the source of all we need.  He gives us faith, courage, and compassion.  God helps us and we help others.

“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.”