Big Idea - What does it mean when God does not seem to hear our prayers or respond to our cries for help? How do we walk by faith when it feels like God is ignoring us? We may think that God has turned His back on us because we have messed up. We may tell ourselves that we are no good, so why would God love us or help us, or we may feel angry because we have been trying so hard to be good, serving God, doing the right things, and even making sacrifices for Him, so why isn't He answering our prayers?
We must hold on to the deep conviction that God has a wise and loving purpose in what He is doing, even in periods of silence and we must 1) believe that God is good and merciful and His compassion never fails, 2) practice faith by our persistence in asking, knowing He always hears and He does not turn away those who come humbly and genuinely seeking His help, 3) affirm that God's mercy is based on His loving kindness and not on our status, goodness, or heritage. Therefore we do not deserve His help, but we know in His love and grace He is with us, He is attentive, and He will work out His good purpose in our lives.
