Have you ever wondered, “Does God hear me?” If you have, I completely relate to you. I have asked God this question many times, especially when I am going through a tough time in my life, when I pray for something and God does not answer the way I want him to, when there is no answer, or when another person receives the answer that I was praying for. Even though this is an unlikable situation, God can use this question and situation to help us to know Him better through a deeper relationship of trust in Him, to shape our character to be more like his, and to encourage our brothers and sisters in their walk with Christ.
One way that these situations take us to a deeper relationship and trust in Him is by increasing our faith and trust in God as we believe His promises. To this end, it is crucial to open our hearts honestly to him and tell him what we think about Him. Jesus modeled this for us when He was on earth. When Jesus was about to face death, He cried out to God in Gethsemane, “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36). Before he said these words, the Bible records that Jesus told His disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” (Mark 14:34). From this sorrow, Jesus calls out to His Father. Jesus knows that God the Father is a good Father who can do everything and who is willing to do what is best for Him.
Being Jesus God, Jesus knew God the Father more than anyone. Jesus had a clear knowledge of who the Father was. He knew that God is worthy of His trust and that the Father’s goodwill is best. Even though we usually hear this phrase from our parents, sometimes our parents are right and other times they are wrong. One may wonder, “Does God really know what is best?” Opposite to our parents, God is unlimited and sinless. Therefore, if God thinks it is best, it truly is best. He has already considered all the options, and He knows that it is the best way for you – even if it does not seem like it to you. Jesus, who is God the Son, could have gone against God the Father, yet He chose to align His will to His Father’s – because Jesus knows that the Father’s will is good and perfect (Rom. 12:2).
Even though Jesus knew and believed in the good will of His Father, Jesus still expressed His request to the Father out of the cry and sorrow of his human heart. Interestingly, the Scriptures do not record an answer from God. Nonetheless, Luke 22:43 states, “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.” But then, verse 44 adds, “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” As the Bible records God sending an angel to comfort Jesus, the Bible also records the Holy Spirit being our comforter (John 14:26). It is like picturing each one of us crying out to God in our knees, and the Holy Spirit hugging us, listening to us, and reminding us of the promises of God by bringing them to our memory or by reading them in the Bible. Even though Jesus seemed to experience in his humanity what it is like feeling not being heard by God, He also demonstrated that the reality is that God always hears us. Isaiah 65:24 records, “Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” God listens to us.
Just like God heard Jesus, God hears us when we call to Him as Jesus did – in agony or joy. Jesus called upon God not only in the moment of sadness, but Jesus also called to God in moments of joy. The Bible reveals Jesus thanking God (Matt. 11:25; Luke 1:21); Jesus praying for food (Luke 5:16); Jesus praying for a brother (Peter) not to fall into temptation (Luke 22:31-32); Jesus praying for the believers (John 17:20-23); and Jesus praying for you and for me to the Father (Romans 8:38). As Jesus pray in different situations, it reflects that God always listen to Him and for everything. If God did not, why would Jesus call on God the Father? Jesus called to God because He knew and had the confidence that God heard Him. As Jesus called to God many times and in various circumstances, He modeled for us that we can also call to God all the time and for anything.
Therefore, when we feel and think that God is not hearing us, let us: (1) Remember to thank God for always listening to us; (2) Open and expressing our hearts to Him as honestly as possible; (3) Ask Him to reveal you in the silence who He is and your heart; (4) Read the Bible;(5) Rest on the Words of the Bible and in the presence of God; (6) Encourage your brothers and sister with the truth that God is teaching you through this moment of silence.
Written by Camila Hernandez