The Blank Page

A very close friend said to me recently, I work hard for the Lord, I present Him to others, I encourage others to trust Him, and I believe that God hears the prayers of His people, yet, I feel He doesn't hear me. This friend has prayed  about issues in her life, and nothing happens, just a blank page.

Over the years I have heard this repeatedly, God where are you?  Why can't you hear me, or see my crisis? Daniel tells the story of the three Hebrew kids who get thrown into the kings furnace because they refused to bow to his image.  Here's what they said from Daniel 3:

17If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  18But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

What a great statement.  Our God is able to deliver us, but even if He doesn't, we will die being faithful to our faith in God.  There is nothing as bad as a blank page when you are in crisis of mind, heart or body.  "God get over here and fix this!"  Job had a similar experience, when his wife gave him some advice about God and His help. In Job 2 we read:

9Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.”  10But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Job knew that life was both good and bad, and if God had control over it all, then rejoice over the good, and endure the bad. 

Jesus had his Gethsemane, Paul the Apostle had his Jerusalem, both faced discomfort, and crisis, but they were unwilling to serve the pain by quitting or running from it. I think that takes us back to those three Hebrew children from Daniel 3, knowing God can intervene, but if He doesn't we are fine with letting this crisis consume us, but we refuse to lose our faith in God.  My wife reminded me recently about the Chinese Christians who have prayed in the middle of great persecution, "Lord, make me stronger that I may endure." That prayer requires more faith than, "Lord remove this from me"

All of us will at times encounter "the blank page" and it will require you to stand your ground in believing that God will strengthen you until He begins the process of filling that blank page with Himself. Don't let circumstance dictate to you, you and God dictate to the circumstance that faith in God will overcome.

Thanks for listening, I hope this helps.

Keeping it honest and truthful...K

Pastor John Piper has a three minute word for us on the aspect of suffering it's worth your time as you reflect on the blank page.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAnschqJe9Q