God, Are You Listening?

The story of Abram

We had a guest speaker in church Sunday and he offered us an interesting challenge based on the story of Abram. If you're not familiar with Abram (whom God later renamed Abraham), here is the pertinent backstory in a nutshell from Genesis chapter 15.

God came to Abram in a vision, telling him not to be afraid, and promising to be his shield and great reward. Abram answers God by asking, "O Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless?" You see, God had promised Abram that he would be made into a great nation (Genesis 12:2). The only way that could happen is if Abram had children. In Abram's eyes, that wasn't likely, since he was 75 years old.

So when we get to Chapter 15, when God promises Abram a great reward, Abram's mind goes to the promise of being made into a great nation. If God hadn't followed through on that promise, what could He do? In Abram's words, "what can you give me since I remain childless?"

God's answer, instead of being defensive, instead of putting Abram in his place, is classic loving Father. He tells Abram to go outside and look at the night sky. As Abram gazes upward, God says, "count the stars--if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be."

Abram's response, instead of snorting in disbelief, instead of questioning God, is summed up in verse 6. Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Despite being an old man, despite having been promised children and yet seeing no results, Abram believed God. He believed that God would answer the one prayer, the one desire of his heart that meant the most. He believed God was listening.

What's on your heart?

That's the interesting challenge our speaker offered us. He invited us to take the one prayer we have lifted to God, the one desire of our hearts yet to be fulfilled, and ask God, in my words, "God, are you listening?"

Our speaker assured us God is big enough to handle such a question. He pointed out that God did not respond to Abram in anger, but rather understanding and love. God didn't stop listening because Abram expressed some frustration. God heard Abram. He listened.

We can ask God anything. Asking Him about a yet to be answered prayer is no different. He's not going to respond in anger. He's not going to withhold His blessings because our timing is different from His. In fact, He might even, as He did to Abram, reveal to us just how big His plans for us are.

Lift it up to God.

Whatever is on your heart, lift it up to God. That prayer, that desire, that one thing. Give it to Him. Ask Him what's going on. Really. It's OK.

He might just reveal to you what He has in mind.