God Doesn’t Always Say Yes to What We Ask For

GOD DOESN’T ALWAYS SAY YES TO WHAT WE ASK FOR

He stood there, mouth agape, staring in amazement

by Baruch Maoz, Israel

Some weeks back, Sasha, an Elder in the church, had completed evening devotions with his 6 year old son, Daniel. The subject was unanswered prayer, and it occurred to him to ask his son, "Daniel, have you ever had some of your prayers unanswered?" In a flash the child answered a decisive "Yes!" Sasha was taken aback. He had not expected so immediate and affirmative an answer. "Well, tell me about it?"

"OK. You know those big electric cars some of the boys in the neighbourhood have? Well, I saw one like that in the shop window the other day, when I was shopping with Mommy. It was a red jeep, with forward and reverse gear. I asked Mommy to buy it for me, but she said that we could not afford such toys. There are more important things we need to buy first. So, I prayed. I asked God to give me a red electric jeep. But he hasn’t."

"Were you disappointed?"

"Yeah. Sure. But that’s all right. God doesn’t have to give me all I want, does he, Daddy?"

Sasha patted his son’s head affectionately. He was very pleased with Daniel’s attitude. "No, son, he doesn’t. You’re right. God doesn’t always answer our prayers." They prayed and parted, Sasha turning off the light as he left the room.

It was a busy time in the church. Baruch was away and there was much visitation to do, more preaching obligations and the construction site to oversee. Sasha was soon over his head in work. One day Vitali called. Vitali works as a maintenance manager on property owned by a wealthy familyi in a nearby town. "Sasha, have you come to work with your car today?"

"Yes. Can I help you?"

"Well, yes. I need you to transport something for me."

"Sure."

"OK, I’ll be at the church building at 5.00 PM."

"I’ll be there."

Vitali arrived. He and Sasha walked to his car, opened the hood, and there stood a shiny red electric jeep! "My boss bought one for each of his children, but now told me to throw this one away. I know just where to throw it. Would Daniel like to have it?"

Sasha was dumbfounded. He immediately recalled his son’s unanswered prayer. But he had told no one! How could Vitali ? No, that is impossible. This is nothing short of God hearing a child’s prayer and graciously giving him his heart’s desire.

Next morning, Daniel came down into the living room, bleary-eyed, wiping the cobwebs from his eyes. Then he saw the jeep, standing there, red and shiny. He froze, mouth agape, staring in amazement. God doesn’t always answer our prayers, but this time he had chosen to do so. Glorious grace!

Baruch Maoz, Israel