Stories of God Responding to Prayer

— (Part 45 of Seeing Jesus in the O.T.) — Andrew Fountain: Feb 20, 2022

God reveals his character through stories. We are wired for stories!
- That is one of the reasons we have all these stories in the Bible
I occasionally watch sermons online, and I started watching one recently that almost made me sick
- It was about how to claim your promise from God
- It reduced God to a vending machine.
  - No interest in learning about him for his own sake
  - God had no utility apart from fulfilling our requests
What is a relationship?
- Is is when you are interested in the person for their own sake
- Not just for what you can get out of them.
So here is the question for today:

Why does God sometimes seem to respond to us, and sometimes not?

There is a danger that we will treat this as “what can I do to get God to be more responsive to me?”
- That would not be good! It would be manipulative.
But if we say “I want to understand him better as a person so I am more in tune with what he wants from me, so that we can draw closer.
- Then that is much better.
Recent book

“God doesn’t respond to need, he responds to faith”

-Examples in the Gospels when that doesn’t happen
Things are bad and I demand that you help me!
as opposed to: Things are bad and I trust that you love me, and trust my problems to you.

I’ve thought a lot about that.
- It’s a very interesting statement
- It’s a useful starting point for our thought
- I think it not a good place to leave it because God is more complex that that
  - but some major problems with it (Lazarus, Widow of Nain)
  - sometimes he does respond to need and sometimes not to what we think of as faith
  - We’re going to come back to this as a place to start
I’m going to give 7 suggestions to answer this question:

1. God does not respond according to our rules

Why does God sometimes seem to respond to us, and sometimes not?

God does not respond according to our rules

We can’t come up with a formula that will predict how he will behave!
Often he pursues those who are running away from him
I want to give you a story from the O.T. to illustrate each of my points
- e.g. Adam & Eve
- Abraham

2. God loves faith

What God responds to:

God does not respond according to our rules
God loves faith

God had promised Abraham & Sarah to make a nation from their descendants that would bless the world.
The problem was that Sarah was unable to have children
“How do I know that you are going to keep this promise?”

Abraham: Genesis 15

And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

God said
Abraham believed

Abraham & Sarah’s faith
note that this faith was a response
- he didn’t decide one day: “You know, I think I’m going to believe God for a descendants like the stars in the sky”
- Yea, I’m going to have faith for my dream!
God said, Abraham believed
- This is really important because you hear a lot of stuff today telling you to have a dream, and then believe God for your dream.
- Has God really promised you that?
A lot in the Scriptures about faith, but none more than Heb 11
Hebrews 11:6 is really interesting—We please God when we believe that he rewards those who seek him.
- This is a great insight into his character
- So what would the opposite be?

Hebrews 11 —Abraham & Sarah

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

What is the opposite to these two things?

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
Therefore… descendants were born, as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

None of them were believing in a vacuum
- They didn’t wake up and say “What shall I believe in God for today”
- He told them exactly what to believe in
The problem was that what he told them was either impossible or it required a huge risk
- So faith was simply being obedient
But what about us? We are not usually given some specific and extraordinary promise like that.
- But I believe there is a principle (expand later)
  - you start obeying what God has given you, and he will give you more.
- So where do we start? —look at Moses:

Hebrews 11 —Moses

By faith, when he grew up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure.
He regarded abuse suffered for Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on the reward.
By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he persevered as though he could see the one who is invisible.

Note that this is talking about before he had the revelation from God
- before the burning bush experience
- Passionately concerned about the injustices done to his people in slavery
- Not a specific revelation, but he knew God hates abuse and injustice
- He was willing to sacrifice everything for God’s kingdom!
- God responded to Moses’ courage & faith that following God is always the best choice
We can do this without any special revelation
- As we step out in obedience, God will give us more revelation
- We use what we have and we receive more...

3. God wants us to understand his heart

What God responds to:

God does not respond according to our rules
God loves faith (Sarah & Abraham)
God wants us to understand his heart

The story that exemplifies this is David
- He understood God, and what God wanted
- 1 Sam 13:14 “The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart”
- The Battle with Goliath shows David understood two things about God
  1. He is concerned about his name being dishonoured (why? vain? —his is the only source of life and hope)
  2. He likes to demonstrate his power in weakness

1 Samuel 17

But David replied to the Philistine, “You are coming against me with sword and spear and javelin. But I am coming against you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel’s armies, whom you have defied!
This very day the LORD will deliver you into my hand! …Then all the land will realize that Israel has a God
and all this assembly will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves! For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will deliver you into our hand.”

Because David was fascinated by God, and so knew God that he was in tune with him
- So when the crisis came he was able to act in a way that God responded to in an extraordinary manner
How did David know God’s heart? He tells us very explicitly in the Psalms, about how his joy was to read and meditate on the Word.

4. God responds to a humble heart, willing to change (repentance)

What God responds to

God does not respond according to our rules
God loves his words to be trusted (faith) (Sarah & Abraham)
God wants us to understand his heart (David)
God responds to a humble heart, willing to change (repentance)

First story is from the time of Joel:
The nation of Israel had been extremely wicked
- They had even put idols in the very temple
- Grotesque sexual/fertility idols
All of society was corrupted with abuse, injustice and brutality
- They had turned upside down everything that God wanted them to stand for
- They had deliberately defied God
Things could hardly be worse Supposed to be a light to the world
but God says:

Joel 2

“Yet even now,” the LORD says,
“return to me with all your heart—
with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
Tear your hearts, not just your garments!”
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to anger and boundless in loyal love [chesed]
—often relenting from sending calamity.

So what is God responding to?
- admitting they were wrong (explain the fasting)
- turning back to him
It was actually this verse that got me started on this whole subject
- It’s almost like God says
“I can’t resist responding to you when you admit you are wrong and turn to me for help”
Any N.T. examples?
- the “Lost son”

Luke 18:10–14

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: extortionists, unrighteous people, adulterers — or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’
The tax collector, however, stood far off and would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’
I tell you that this man went down to his home justified rather than the Pharisee. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

NET

What exactly was God responding to ??
- “I don’t deserve anything from you, but I desperately need you. I can’t make it myself.”
Another example:
- David not only committed adultery…

Psalm 51

O LORD, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Once again, a direct statement about what God responds to.
- If you don’t know God as your saviour, this is amazingly good news
- God is not looking for perfection, or even goodness, but recognition of your imperfection, your need and willingness to be changed
But what if you haven’t been particularly horribly sinful? —do you still have to repent?
- “Miserable worm theology”
- That is not the same as genuine humility
Recognize that he is so much greater than you are
- But be honest with him about your flaws and failures
- and open yourself up to him correcting you in a gentle way

5. God responds to praise

What God responds to:

God does not respond according to our rules
God loves his words to be trusted (faith) (Sarah & Abraham)
God wants us to understand his heart (David)
God responds to a humble heart, willing to change (repentance) (Israel in Joel)
God responds to praise

One more story—the nation of Israel is threatened by destruction:
- Rather than putting the toughest soldiers at the front he put the worship team

2 Chronicles 20

Early the next morning they marched out to the Desert of Tekoa. When they were ready to march, Jehoshaphat stood up and said: “Listen to me, you people of Judah and residents of Jerusalem! Trust in the LORD your God and you will be safe! Trust in the message of his prophets and you will win.”

2 Chronicles 20 cont’d

He met with the people and appointed musicians to play before the LORD and praise his majestic splendor. As they marched ahead of the warriors they said: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his loyal love endures.”
When they began to shout and praise, the LORD suddenly attacked the Ammonites, Moabites, and men from Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

6. God responds to our love for one another

What God responds to

God does not respond according to our rules
God loves his words to be trusted (faith) (Sarah & Abraham)
God wants us to understand his heart (David)
God responds to a humble heart, willing to change (repentance) (Israel in Joel)
God responds to praise (Jehoshaphat)
God responds to our love for one another

No time to develop this, but John 17...
I have come to show the world the love of God, but now that I am leaving, I am passing that job onto you.

The way you are to do this is by loving one another

That will show people what God’s love is like, and they will believe
He called this the New Commandment, and said that people who follow it will be specially heard by God.

John 15 - Bearing the fruit of Love

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
…go and bear fruit—fruit that will last, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

7. Obey revelation and God will give you more

back to Hebrews 11

7. Respond to what God has shown you
— Hebrews 11

And without faith it is impossible to please him,
for whoever would draw near to God must believe
that he exists
and that he rewards those who seek him.

plus another verse that is very helpful
Mark 4:24: And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. The measure you use will be the measure you receive, and more will be added to you.”

You step out on the basis of what you do know, and then once you’ve done that God reveals more to you.
- personal example? not necessarily mine
As we respond to the information we already have
- what we already know is God’s will
- he reveals more us about what he wants us to do.

Joshua 2 – The Faith of Rahab in Jericho

and she said to the men, “I know that the LORD has given you the land…
For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt…

Joshua 2 – The Faith of Rahab in Jericho

And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.
Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign

She ended up being the great-great grandmother of David, and carrying the line from Eve to Jesus. Wow!
Let me give you an example of how this might work out in prayer for healing
- Faith is a response to God’s words
- Faith must have a “mandate”, not in a vacuum
So if we are praying for a sick person, what has God revealed that relates to this?
- (You can apply these steps to other things, like getting a new job, or place to live)

Steps of Faith

God is able to heal did heal the sick (the New Testament)
God still heals today (James 5)
God loves to heal
God loves this person and cares about them
As you pray, ask God for more specific revelation

Sometimes we feel we have to work up faith to believe that God will heal a person right now
- But our responsibility is to believe what God has told us, not what he hasn’t
- And as we believe, he may, or may not, reveal more —it really is up to him
- But don’t feel pressure that somehow you have to work up the power!

What God responds to

God does not respond according to our rules
God loves his words to be trusted (Sarah & Abraham)
God wants us to understand his heart (David)
God responds to repentance (Israel in Joel)
God responds to praise (Jehoshaphat)
God responds to our love for one another
Grow in these and God will give you more (Rahab)

Updated on 2022-02-20 by Andrew Fountain

Stories of God Responding to Prayer

— (Part 45 of Seeing Jesus in the O.T.) — Andrew Fountain: Feb 20, 2022

Why does God sometimes seem to respond to us, and sometimes not?

“God doesn’t respond to need, he responds to faith”

1. God does not respond according to our rules

Why does God sometimes seem to respond to us, and sometimes not?

2. God loves faith

What God responds to:

Abraham: Genesis 15

Hebrews 11 —Abraham & Sarah

Hebrews 11 —Moses

3. God wants us to understand his heart

What God responds to:

1 Samuel 17

4. God responds to a humble heart, willing to change (repentance)

What God responds to

Joel 2

Luke 18:10–14

Psalm 51

5. God responds to praise

What God responds to:

2 Chronicles 20

2 Chronicles 20 cont’d

6. God responds to our love for one another

What God responds to

John 15 - Bearing the fruit of Love

7. Obey revelation and God will give you more

7. Respond to what God has shown you— Hebrews 11

Joshua 2 – The Faith of Rahab in Jericho

Joshua 2 – The Faith of Rahab in Jericho

Steps of Faith

What God responds to

7. Respond to what God has shown you
— Hebrews 11