A Tragic Answer to Prayer (or The Tragedy of God's Second-Best)

[jiggyfly]

A Tragic Answer to Prayer (or The Tragedy of God's Second-Best)
by T. Austin-Sparks


"He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls" (Psalm 106:15).

What a sad 'but' that is! It represents God's frustration and disappointment. It means that God has so left the decision and choice with man that He will not force or coerce. It points to the fact that God has a great intention where His people are concerned but they may miss it.

But when all that has been said, the reason for the tragedy was - and can be - persistent insistence on having what the people who pray want rather than what the Lord had so evidently shown to be His will.

It is therefore possible for God to yield to us, to answer our prayer, and for the result to be an everlasting regret and reproach.

What are the alternatives? The context of the verse in Psalm 106, and the reference to Numbers 6, shows that it all hinged upon the food question.

The Manna was too mysterious, too inscrutable, too delicate, too heavenly, too miraculous, too 'spiritual'. It contrasted with the tangible, certain (?), understandable, and naturally gratifying food of Egypt. The fact is that their spiritual life had dropped to such a low level as to make them forget the tyranny, labour, heartbreak, and groanings in Egypt, and to be in an illusionary mentality about that terrible history. Get spiritually low and the world holds out false attraction. Granted that the life of faith and a supernatural basis of life has trials and difficulties for the flesh and the natural man, but it has a daily miracle of sustenance at its heart. The point of departure with them was whether their own souls were to be gratified or whether they were to be a testimony to the Lord.

The phrase "leanness into their souls" indicates that, firstly, thinness, scantiness, smallness, starvation, tenuity, weakness, and contraction in spiritual stature and measure are quite contrary to a God who is so full, abundant, and beneficent. Such contraction and limitation could never be a testimony to Him.

In the next place, the words indicate that the heavenly, the supernatural, the spiritual, and the way of faith is really the way of spiritual robustness and substance.

How lean-souled many of the Lord's people are! How little many of them and many churches have to give! How rare it is to find those - individually or collectively - who have much more than they need themselves and plenty for others! Starvation conditions are all too common among the Lord's people. There are many reasons for this, but our verse says that it is the preference for the earthly to the heavenly, and an unwillingness to forego the natural for the spiritual. This whole matter is threshed out in the First Letter to the Corinthians, a church characterized by spiritual leanness, weakness, and smallness.

Spiritual leanness can be a judgment. "He sent leanness into their souls", while he gave them their request for natural fatness.

At any cost let us set the highest value and importance upon spiritual fulness, the fulness of Christ, and never by any means limit Him, or be instrumental in limiting Him in others!

First published in "A Witness and A Testimony" magazine, Jan-Feb 1964, Vol 42-1

 

[Chad]

Thanks for sharing this great article brother.

At any cost let us set the highest value and importance upon spiritual fulness, the fulness of Christ, and never by any means limit Him, or be instrumental in limiting Him in others!

Amen to that! I am a witness to my own spiritual laziness and limiting GOD. I have learned many valuable lessons from that and when you come to a point of limiting GOD or being un-spiritual, you can feel the deadness inside.

Thank GOD for His grace in Jesus! All things healed through Him alone

 

[Fellowservant]

The Manna was too mysterious, too inscrutable, too delicate, too heavenly, too miraculous, too 'spiritual'. It contrasted with the tangible, certain (?), understandable, and naturally gratifying food of Egypt. The fact is that their spiritual life had dropped to such a low level as to make them forget the tyranny, labour, heartbreak, and groanings in Egypt, and to be in an illusionary mentality about that terrible history. Get spiritually low and the world holds out false attraction. Granted that the life of faith and a supernatural basis of life has trials and difficulties for the flesh and the natural man, but it has a daily miracle of sustenance at its heart. The point of departure with them was whether their own souls were to be gratified or whether they were to be a testimony to the Lord.

Get spiritually low and the world holds out false attraction?.. Amen brothers the world sometimes looks good... but it is a deadly poison in disguise. There is nothing but pain, for the saints who like to go down too Egypt. Been there! and the pleasure of sin, is only for a season...

Good post brother:star:

 

[SpiritLedEd]

This post reminds me of the account of God's response to the people's complaining about eating manna day after day after the Exodus from Egypt:

"(Moses said) The Lord heard you when you wailed 'If only we had meat to eat. We were better off in Egypt. Now the Lord will give you meat and you WILL eat it. You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten, or twenty days, but for a whole month until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it, because you rejected the Lord who is among you and you wailed, saying 'Why did we ever leave Egypt?'" (Nu 11:18c-20)

We humans haven't changed since the days of Moses, have we? God meets our needs and we thank Him and glorify Him for it.........for a while. Then we begin to look beyond our needs to the things the world lays before us - our wants. We don't have a car. God gives us a car - a used Ford Escort, maybe - and we thank Him profusely for it. But, it isn't long before that Escort stops looking good and we begin to drool over the new car advertising on TV and in the newspapers and we complain to God, "Lord, I NEED one of those new........" and once again we chase the wind.


SLE

 

[bash44]

This thread is a answer to my prayers.and i wish it were not. i have been trying to explain to some people in my bible study what i have been going through and no one understands. and i have been getting pictures so to speak of what has happened to me, and this is another one.
it goes along with what i believe the Holy Spirit showed me when moses and the children of israel were not allow to enter the promise land.
My fear is what will happen to me when i get to heaven. do you have any further thoughts on this. you seem to have the gift of wisdom?????
thanks Brian

 

[Coconut]

Brian, a few passages of scripture came to mind when I read your message...yes God can and does send spiritual leanness into a mans soul...for what purpose? To get him to seek God. (the same purpose He had for the Israelites)
You said in your profile, that God does not allow you to worship Him. I think I understand what you are saying quite well, and tho I dont know why you feel this way, what you are telling yourself contradicts the word of God.


Paul said: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 1Ti 1:15

1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

[bash44]

i hear what your saying, however, i have prayed and thought that was what God was doing. but.. everything that i have heard has been on the "this is permenent" responce.

 

[bash44]

A liitle more background

Hello again
in responce to a couple of e-mails i received. about 5 yrs after seeking to get married, i believe God told me it was not his will for me. it was at this time i realized i was not followig God for who he was but, for what i wanted him to do for me. i became ver angry at God even though i knew he had good reasons for me not to get married ( i did not have biblical grounds for my divorce) but anyways, at the same time there was a lot of warfare goining on in the church, and i spificly remeber God warning me not to rebell because of the concequences for the church, and my then 12 year old daughter. i did not listen, and i contiued to resist the chastisement of the Holy Spirit for about 4 years. during that time i tried to go back to my church, but i was so bitter inside i could not bare to stay. i also remeber the Holy Spirit telling me that i was running out of time. i begged to not have to go back to my church because i was also struggling with pride. my church family welcomed me with open arms but i had this overwelming sence that i did not want to have any close intiment relationships with anyone.i now know that satan had a stronghold on my life, but at the time i did not see this.
anyways, the last time i went back to my church, they were having a special service. the pastor talked about how several people had left the church and that he did not hold any ill will towards anyone, but, he asked that anyone who wanted to commit to following Christ and wanting to be part of the church should come to the alter. i did not go. after that, the very next Sunday my work schedule changed, and i did not realize it then, but something had also changed in me. i did not sence Gods presence, i became habitually irritable, i at one point last year i became suicidal (sp) and then my daughter became suicidal. as you can prbbably figure out i was under severe demonic oppression. i begged God to let me go back to church, and it was at this point God began letting me know that it was no longer his will for me to be in fellowship. he has allowed me to be part of a small group at a church where i am not happy. it's a little liberal, but the people are nice and caring.
I am soory this is so long, i am so happy to just share with some people that understand where i am coming from. i know God loves me, and after struggle over fearing that i lost my salvation, God has assued me that i am saved, but that there are severe consequences to my actions. he has slowly step by step showed me what has happened. it does not make it any less painfull, but like i said, right now i am just glad to find someone who has a clue about my situation. and like i said, my prayer now is to see if this is going to be eternal.
once again, soory for the lengthy thread, and poor punctuation.
its a little late but is there a rule about the length of these things???
God bless
Brian

 

[Coconut]

You can write as lengthly as you want to Brian, no worries. I cant say I agree with everything you shared from a spiritual perspective...but let me ask you a question...do you see the promise of life or death in the following passage?

Heb 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

Why should you pray to know if the promises of God are yea and amen, when God already said they were? (2Co 1:20)

If you 'hear' that you are condemned already, then you are placing your faith in the wrong place, and I daresay listening to the wrong voice. The scripture says: Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

and:

"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

 

[Chad]

I agree with what sister Coconut posted. Those Scripture speak volumes, as a matter of fact it lays the Truth out straight forth.

It is very easy to be deceived by the devil if you let him a foothold to do so. He'll tell you that GOD wants nothing with you, that you are not saved, that you are condemned and every opposite of GOD's thoughts you can figure.

Look at Jesus Christ on Calvary.

Romans 5:8
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Brother Brian, we all disobey GOD here and there ample times. No doubt about this. From our mistakes, we need to learn by GOD's grace and guidance. I've learned this the hard way a few good big ones in the past, not long ago. One thing to learn is how to listen to GOD's still small voice in your heart. That sweet simple thought just might be the Holy Spirit. Once we learn to hear GOD and *obey* Him, the road is much smoother and we can avoid the many consequences of disobedience.

I'm always going to be on the learning track myself. I thank GOD for His grace and understanding.

 

[Coconut]

Wether we are talking about one failure or countless failures (my own)...it doesnt matter...our hope isnt in ourselves, and our abilities, but in Christ alone. We only need place ourselves there. You can wrestle with all the things (and voices) that appear to contradict this simple truth until you die, and it makes it no less the truth.

Job's three friends assume that Job was a sinner and therefore deserving of all punishments. By the conclusion of the book, they apologize to Job, but these 'voices' caused him much anguish, and if he had listened to them, especially that of his wife, he might have concluded that all was hopeless, and cursed God and died. Thats why its so important to take Gods word in hand, and shut out everything and everyone else (including voices from our past) and let Gods Word speak His truth into our hearts.

Satan as that member of the divine council who watches over human activity, but with the evil purpose of searching out men's sins and appearing as their accuser. He is, therefore, the celestial prosecutor, who sees only iniquity; for he persists in his evil opinion of Job even after he has passed successfully through his first trial by surrendering to the will of God, whereupon Satan demands another test through physical suffering (Job 2:3-5) [Wikipedia] Satan always contradicts the Word of God!

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2Co 10:5

Again, it is written, there is NO condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus..."Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him"...

This moment, right now, no matter where you are...even if you are at the uttermost worst place a man can find himself...the only question is, where have you placed yourself? In Christ? Then there is no longer even one single drop of condemnation upon you. Never confuse the chastisment of God with condemnation.
Lean-ness of soul, lack of 'feeling' God, not being able to sense His approval, are all issues of faith.
You can pray for weeks, and 'feel' like you are talking to a brick wall...but feelings arnt a measure of truth...the Word is the only measure, and it says;

"That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us" Act 17:27
and "The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous." Pro 15:29

Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

 

[bash44]

Salvation vs Consequences

I hear all of you, however.. my,our.. circumstances must line up with the word of God also. I know i am saved, i know God loves me, but i also know he is judgeing-chastiseing me. the leaness to my sole represents in my situation; i do not sence Gods presence. i feel peace at times, but also discontitment(sp)
for over a year now, i have had doors closed on finding fellowship, senceing Gods presence during worship time. although a year cannot be called permenant, i have asked why my circumstances remain the same, and everything i have heard has pointed to this not changeing. for over a year i have asked God to give me a personal vs. saying i have a hope and a future, and he has been silent.
now if God wanted to do that he could, but, he has not. so that is how i come to the conclusion that my situation is permenant, at least here on earth.
does this make since? i am not very good at communicating...

 

[bash44]

Sorry coconut, i did not see your last thread. i do believe what you are saying.
maybe i am relying more on wanting fellowship, and experienceing "feelings" nore then i am on believing and trusting the Scriptures you posted, but it is very hard.. i guess i want things to be the way they were before all this happened.
i have actually been alone for about five years now, except when i go to small group, and work. and there are no Christians at my job. i know Paul spent a loy of time alone,but.. five years is a long time with no end in sight...

 

[Coconut]

I can testify to that Brian, I once walked away from God, and I`ve been in that place. The truth is, that it is in lifes most truly barren places, the soul is able to come to really see and know God. All the dross of life is gone, and you are surrounded by silence? There stands God. Not waiting to cast you away, but waiting to reveal Himself to you.

"When there is face-to-face fellowship with God, it is God who says, "I, Jehovah, reveal Myself..." (Nu12:6)

God is not as interested in changing our circumstances, as He is desiring to change us, and its in understanding that one thing, that we learn to quit struggling to get out of our circumstances, (the very difficulties God is using to mold us into His likeness) and focus our attention on how God is using them for our good and His glory. We look for God outside our circumstances, when God is standing right in the midst of them. I have no doubt if you change the way you have been viewing this, you will begin to see God has not been so silent in your life Brother, God has a myrid of ways He uses to speak to us, but we dont always recognize Him.


Our part is to take God at His word. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Heb 11:6

Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

What is a mans lifetime in comparison to eternity?

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 2Co 4:17

"For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." (2Co7:10)