Fourth Saturday in Lent Devotion

Prayer                                                             Fourth Saturday in Lent - March 13, 2021

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)  

LSB 440 – Jesus, Will I Ponder Now

(Verse 6 of this week’s hymn served as inspiration for today’s devotion.)

The blessing of unanswered prayers; but are they really unanswered? God hears all that we pray for, but he doesn’t always give us what we want. We get depressed, sad, and even angry at God when we feel that he is not answering or even hearing our prayers. There may even be times when we curse God for not listening to us. A person may accuse him of not being a loving and caring God because a close friend passes away even though they prayed over and over for healing. Another couple may curse God because they are unable to have a child. Yet another may choose never to believe in God again when they lose all their belongings in a natural disaster. It is often hard to see God’s plan being carried out in our life. What we pray for is not always what we receive. That is where faith in God’s power and glory comes into play. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). God has a plan for our life and all that he gives us carries out that plan, even if it is not what we want or pray for.

A friend once told me, after losing his mother, that he believed in his heart every word of Romans 8:28, but it still didn’t take away the sting of his mother’s death. What it did give him was a hope that he didn’t have to depend on himself; God was still with him in his pain. God heard his prayers, but answered them differently than he wanted. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

God knows his plan for each and every one of us. More importantly God has already given us all that we need; forgiveness of sins and salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You promise to hear and answer all our prayers. Give us the faith to rely on You and Your plans for our lives, even when we think that our prayers go unanswered. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Rev. Nathan Ruback – Grace Lutheran Chapel