PRE-232-230. The Mother Of All Sins

230. The Mother Of All Sins

The Mother of All Sins!

by David Wilkerson

December 6, 1993

[May 19, 1931 '96 April 27, 2011]

I could list for you a whole catalog of sins that believing Christians practice. But none of these sins would come near to the sin that I want to talk about. This sin is the mother of all sins – the one that gives birth to all others. It is the sin of unbelief!

I am not speaking of the unbelief of a hardened sinner. The unbelief of reprobates, agnostics and atheists does not move God at all. No, what angers God more than anything else is the unbelief and troubling doubts of those who call themselves by His name! Those who are His children – who say, "I am of Jesus" – and yet hold doubt, fear and unbelief in their hearts grieve Him more than all others!

How seriously does God take this sin of unbelief? Jude warned the church with these words: "I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not" (Jud_1:5).

Jude is reminding them of God's attitude toward unbelief! He is saying, "I am bringing to your remembrance God's utter hatred for unbelief among His saved people. Having saved the people, afterward He destroyed them that believed not!"

Beloved, I believe God has called me today to put His church in remembrance of this same thing! "Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (1Co_10:11). God may no longer destroy His people physically as He did in the Old Testament. But His judgments on our unbelief today are spiritual – and they are just as severe!

Instead of being struck down, we die spiritually. Just look around today at the multitudes of doubting, struggling Christians who are dead spiritually. They are faltering, wavering, doubting, constantly fearing, never entering into the joy and peace of the Lord. They are no longer rooted and grounded – but instead are filled with unbelief and hardness of heart!

Unbelief is just as destructive today as it ever was. We may not turn into a pillar of salt – but we do become stiff-necked and bitter! The ground doesn't open up to swallow us – but we are swallowed by troubles, stress and family problems. Fire doesn't come down and consume us – but our spiritual life is destroyed!

No, we don't die physically – but something within us dies. Our love dies. Conviction dies. Conscience dies. Peace dies. Hope dies. All the things that make our walk with Jesus sweet die because of the sin of unbelief!

Because of our unbelief we fear all kinds of sins. The Puritans called these "bosom sins," those hidden within. We're afraid we'll fall back into habits that once controlled us – lust, fornication, alcoholism, gambling, adultery.

Yet many of us are guilty of the mother of all sins – and we do not fear it. We do not take our unbelief seriously. We live as though God winks at it. And yet is the one sin that opens our body and spirit to every other sin known to mankind!

Let me give you four reasons why this sin of unbelief is so dangerous – and why God so despises it in His people:

1. Our Unbelief Makes God a Liar!

"He that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son (1Jn_5:10)

Consider all the ugly sins listed against Israel in the wilderness; murmuring, complaining, idolatry, unthankfulness, rebellion, sensuality. Yet none of these provoked God's wrath. It was their unbelief that angered God!

"And the Lord said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have [showed] among them?" (Num_14:11).

God said to Moses, "These people make a lie out of everything I've done for them! I've performed miracle after miracle – I've delivered them time after time. When will they ever trust and rest in Me?

Stop for a moment and think about all the things God has done for you: He has kept you. He has answered this prayer, that prayer. He has met you in a crisis here, a crisis there. He has brought you through trials, fed you with manna from heaven, done things for you that are nothing short of miraculous.

Yet now, as you face yet another crisis, do you still not trust Him to see you through? Perhaps you think, "But this time it's worse. I've never been in anything like this!" Oh yes, you have! Every crisis you've been in has required His miraculous provision – and He has delivered you time after time!

Each time He delivers you, He hopes that in the next crisis you'll be relaxed and ready, praying, "Father, I turn this over to You. I'm not going to fret or worry because you've delivered me every time. And I know you'll deliver me now!"

For thirty-eight long years Israel forgot God's Word and dismissed out of mind His miracles. And because they fell back so often into murmuring and unbelief, God said, "I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them" (verse 12). He told Moses, "I'm giving up on My people – because they never will come to the place where they trust Me!"

When Israel was on the victorious side of Jordan, Moses made a solemn declaration. He said: "Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it… fear not, neither be discouraged…. Dread not, neither be afraid of them. The Lord your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you…

"Yet in this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God… And the Lord heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and sware, saying, Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers…" (Deu_1:21; Deu_1:29-30; Deu_1:32; Deu_1:34-35).

Beloved, God magnifies His Word above His name. He means every word He says. And all of these things God told Israel are the same things He has told us. I ask you – will we not also incur His wrath if we act in unbelief?

Paul wrote: "… God, (who) cannot lie, promised [life eternal] before the world began" (Tit_1:2). And the author of Hebrews wrote: "… it (is) impossible for God to lie, [so that] we might have a strong consolation…" (Heb_6:18).

Today God says to us clearly, "I can and I will." Yet how do we respond to His Word? We immediately question Him! "Can God do it? Will He do it?"

We read His Word and hear all His promises from the pulpit. But then we go to our corner and fret because we don't see Him immediately doing what we think He should do for us. We are loaded with doubt and unbelief!

When we do not let His Word anchor our souls – when we hear great and precious promises, then act as if we've been abandoned – we make God out to be a liar!

2. Our Unbelief Today Is Worse – Because It Is in The Face of Even Greater Promises!

"…he [Christ] is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises (Heb_8:6)

Under the Old Covenant, all the Israelites had was the promise that God would bless them if they obeyed. Today, under the New Covenant, we have a "better promise": He gives us strength enabling us to obey!

This "better promise" means we all shall know Him. We don't just have a high priest who goes into God's presence for us. No – a veil was rent in two so we could all come into the presence of God!

Consider all the Lord has promised us:

'95 His law is written in our hearts. His Holy Spirit abiding in us. Christ Himself with us always.

'95 Reconciliation with God. Healing, mercy and forgiveness through simple repentance and faith.

'95 The power and authority to ask anything in Jesus' name. Power over sin. Power over Satan. No weapon able to prosper against us.

'95 Access to the Father. A throne to run to in the hour of need. Deliverance from overwhelming temptations. Continual manifestations of the presence of Jesus.

'95 Rest by simply asking and trusting. Peace beyond all human understanding. Freedom from fear all the days of our life. Abundant life.

He's promised it all to us!

Yet still so many Christians live in fear, doubt, confusion – always fretting. They don't believe Him or appropriate His precious Word. They act as though He never made such promises!

The truth is, we have much less reason to doubt and fear than our forefathers did. Our enemies today aren't the Hittites and Jebusites – they are stress, fiery temptations of the flesh, weariness of body and mind, a violent and complex society, new and subtle evils that no other generation has faced. Yet God has promised us that where sin abounds – no matter how subtle or powerful it is – we have more grace to do battle with it than any other generation in history!

Paul said of the Jews: "…because of unbelief they were broken off…" (Rom_11:20). And he warns us today:

"Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God; on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off" (verses 20-22).

Hebrews also warns us: "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Heb_3:12)

It doesn't matter how holy or righteous you think you are. If you do not have faith in the living Word – abiding in it, assimilating it, making it a part of your life – then you are in danger of departing from God!

Search the Bible and see – there is not one example of God Sparing unbelief! He judged it in every one of His children, in every generation.

Start with Eve, who doubted the truth of God's commandment in the Garden. Then go to the nobleman who was trampled to death for not believing God's word that starving Samaria would be flooded with food the next day. Go to Zacharias, John the Baptist's father, who was struck dumb for not believing God's word to him. Then go to this judgment in Jesus' day: "And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief" (Mat_13:58).

There has never been an instance when God excused unbelief – and He is not going to wink at it in these last days!

3. We Lose Much of What Is Preached to Us Because of Unbelief!

"… but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it" (Heb_4:2).

Do you ever wonder why the disciples were so ignorant of the ways of Christ and the eternal purposes of God? Why, after three years of sitting under the blessed preaching of the Savior of the world, they remained blind, unprepared for the things to come? I've constantly puzzled over this. Why was their understanding of the Cross and the Resurrection so limited?

It was because they did not hear with faith! On several occasions Jesus had to rebuke them: "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken" (Luk_24:25).

" Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?" (Mat_8:26). They had little faith – hearts that were slow to believe His Word! And they were left empty, unprepared, confused – blinded by unbelief!

If Jesus "marveled" at the unbelief during His time on earth, what must He think of ours? Nineveh repented after only one sermon, believing every word Jonah preached. Yet America has heard thousands of such warnings from many true prophets – but multitudes of so-called Spirit filled believers do not heed them! They say, "I don't want to hear that anymore." They put it all out of mind!

Times Square Church has been in existence for six years now, and our congregation is full of well-fed believers. If over that period people came to just one of our services held each week, that means they've heard more than 300 messages. Yet I sometimes wonder: How much of what they've heard has been remembered and worked into their spiritual fiber?

If God's Word is not assimilated by faith – if we do not ask Him in faith to help us receive and use it – we will end up picking and choosing only what we like. And we usually pick the blessings, mercies and comforts – and shake off the demands, reproofs and warnings!

It is trust that makes God's Word work into our spirit. Faith stamps it into our personality and mind so that it is never forgotten!

4. Unbelief Shuts Off All Intimacy With God!

We preach much at our church about intimacy in prayer and spending quality time with the Lord. But you can pray twelve hours a day, weep and cry, groan in deep intercession; you can intercede for needs all over the world; you can walk all over the house, telling Jesus how much you love Him – yet it all can be profitless, pointless, a total waste!

You may think, "Anybody who prays that long has got to have peace and joy. People will know she's been with Jesus. Surely something of God is taking place in her."

No! All the praying in the world will not do you any good unless you mix it with faith!

"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).

You can fast and pray for three days or three weeks – but without faith, you will not please God! All your hours in prayer, all your petitions, all your "coming to Him" will profit you nothing unless your heart is anchored in faith!

"…let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord" (Jam_1:6-7).

If you're spending two hours with God and yet never believe Him to answer you – you're embarrassing Him for two hours! It may make you feel good or feel holy – but in reality you're wasting time! You're giving God two hours of nothing but unbelief and doubt. You might as well be shopping or fishing!

I know Christians who say they pray daily, often weeping before the Lord, yet nothing happens. They remain heavy-hearted, depressed. Their lives are always in turmoil. It is because they embarrassed the Lord by coming into His presence not fully persuaded He would do what He promised!

"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mar_11:24). "and all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive" (Mat_21:22).

The children of Israel spent more than thirty-eight years alone with God. Can you imagine it? It must have been like having church every day! They had the ark in their midst, daily sacrifices, the cloud of fire, a preacher who talked with God face-to-face.

And yet God was angry with them – He slew every one of them! They all died in the wilderness with His wrath upon them. Why? Because they were full of unbelief and doubt!

Scripture says of them: "And did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ" (1Co_10:3-4). Yet, in spite of all these blessings and provision, they had no faith! They spent a lifetime in a self-made hell of fear, despair and doubt!

I believe most of God's people today live as spiritual paupers. Many are no longer willing to exercise faith because something happened to make them question God's love. Perhaps a loved one died. Or an accident snuffed out the life of a wonderful Christian they knew. Or a sweet, tender child has a terminal illness, despite the fact his parents have given their all to God.

Many say, "I just don't understand that. How can I trust God when I don't understand why He would allow such a thing?" There is no human answer to their confusion. And like Zion, they claim, "The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me" (Isa_49:14).

But God knows the end from the beginning. And only when we are in heaven will we understand why some of these winds and waves have tossed us – and why God allowed it all.

Isaiah gave an answer – and I believe it is all we need to know for now:

"Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that make thee waste shall go forth of thee" (verses 15-17).

I couldn't try to explain any of the many sufferings and trials in the body of Christ. But God has given us His Word: "You're My child – you're written in the palm of My hand. Trust Me!"

Let Me Speak to You About the Cure for Unbelief!

I searched my reference books and found entire lists of ways to "cure" unbelief. But none of these dozens of things touched me. So I asked God for something very simple – and He gave me two thoughts on how I can rid my heart of unbelief:

1. Lay hold upon every worry, fear and burden. Take them all to Jesus – and leave them on His shoulders! "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (1Pe_5:7). Beloved, this is God's personal Word to you. It is His invitation, His request: "Put it all on Me! Don't carry it one hour longer. I care about everything that's happening to you. And I'm big enough to take it all for you!" Someone called me not long ago who was in real stress and needing a word of encouragement. But I was too overwhelmed myself that day to help. I was stressed out by so many problems, I couldn't handle one more. So I answered, "I'm sorry – you'll have to call some other time. I'm too overloaded." Thank God, He is never stressed out! He is never overloaded! His shoulders can carry the load of everyone of His children! And He urges us, "Lay it all on Me!" "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved" (Psa_55:22). Go down your list right now: "God, I give you this, and this, and that. I give you this burden, this trouble, that relationship, that problem…" And be fully convinced – He cares!

2. Launch out in full faith on the written Word of God. Take up the Lord's challenge to live by His Word! "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Mat_4:4). You've got to be able to say, "I'm going to live and die by God's Word to me!" I ask you – how is it we can trust His Word for our eternal salvation, but not for our daily needs and problems? We can believe Him for the hardest part. Why is it harder for us to believe for help, guidance and power over sin? "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jud_1:24). God promised this to you – so let Him take on the burden of keeping you! Don't try to figure out how to do it. Just take Him at His Word. Simply pray: "Lord, You promised to keep me from falling – and I'm putting my eternal future on Your promise. It is not my work now, but Yours!"

Go to the Lord and challenge His Word. Tell Him you are going to stake your life on it! "Lord, I'm going to live and die by what You told me. No matter how I feel or what I'm going through, I'm going to commit myself to Your promises to me!"

You will not live under guilt or condemnation any longer. You won't have to fret of worry or lie awake at night anymore. Instead, you will rest, because you're trusting in what He has promised you.

Show Him you trust His every word – and be blessed! Amen!

231. God Over Answers Prayer

God Over-answers Prayer

by David Wilkerson

November 15, 1993

[May 19, 1931 '96 April 27, 2011]

One of the most often-heard phrases in the church is, "God answers prayer!" Yet that is only half the truth. The whole truth is, "God overanswers prayer!"

I want to act now as a lawyer before you. I'm going to build a case that will prove to you that in every generation – all through the Bible and continuing to the present day – God always overanswers the prayers of His children. He continually gives much more than we ask for – and often things we wouldn't think to request!

I'll go straight to the biblical record to make my case. It is built on precedent after precedent in history – all proving God overanswers prayer!

1. God over-answered Israel in Hos_14:1-9!

Here is a very clear picture of how God not only answered prayer – but overanswered!

Hosea prophesied to Israel, "You're backslidden – but you're still God's people. Now return to the Lord and pray. "Take with you words, and… say unto Him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously… " (Hos_14:2).

Their prayer was simple. All Israel asked God to do was to take away their sin and receive them graciously. "Lord, have mercy. Cleanse us – receive us back into Your grace."

Yet God not only forgave their iniquities – He not only cleansed them and received them back graciously – He also added blessings beyond imagination!

"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon." (Hos_14:4-7).

Now the dew of heaven is the presence of the Lord. Up to this point there had been drought – everything was dying because God's favor had been taken away. But now, because of true repentance and a heartfelt prayer, God said He would cause life to spring up on all sides. Israel not only would be forgiven, but revived as well! They would grow, become well-rooted, spread out, thrive!

All they asked for was mercy, forgiveness and acceptance. But instead, God opened the windows of heaven and poured on them blessings they dared not even hope for! God largely overanswered their prayer!

Beloved, God has done the same for you! When you repented, all you asked God for was a clean heart, forgiveness and peace. Yet look at how He has overanswered you: He gave you a hungering heart – a thirst for more and more of Jesus! He gave you eyes to see and ears to hear. He gave you a love for His body.

He has put in you a hatred for sin. He has protected you from a raging, mad devil. He has flooded your soul with hope, joy and gladness!

Jesus has become as your morning dew! He waters your soul daily with His Word. And you are growing – you're not dead or dying, but very much alive in Him!

You asked only to be saved and cleansed. But God has poured out blessing upon blessing to you! He has overanswered you!

2. God overanswered Solomon's prayer!

"Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?" (1Ki_3:9)

Solomon prayed "Lord all I want is wisdom to know how to handle Your people. I only want to be a just king and lord over them."

It was a simple, direct request. But God answered Solomon's prayer in an incredible way:

"And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee."(1Ki_3:11-12).

Here we see how anxious God is to overanswer unselfish prayers! Solomon asked only for an understanding heart of discernment. But God not only gave him the heart he asked for – He also promised to make him wiser than anyone else in the history of mankind!

Yet God didn't stop there. He told Solomon: "And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days." (1Ki_3:13-14).

What an incredible response! God added to Solomon's wisdom blessings, honor and riches such as no other man has ever received. And on top of that, He gave him a prolonged life: "I will lengthen thy days."

Another prayer greatly overanswered!

3. God overanswered Israel regarding the Ammonites!

"Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight… so that Israel was sore distressed" (Jdg_10:9).

Ammon had been used by God to correct Israel's sins. And now their army was marching toward Israel! God's people were perplexed and downcast – and they began to confess their sins:

"And the children of Israel said unto the Lord, We have sinned: do Thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day." (verse 15).

They were so haunted by their sin, they couldn't conceive of asking God for anything more than just to spare them. Theirs was the simplest of prayers: "Lord, deliver us just this one time! Don't let us be defeated or overrun by our enemy!"

They prayed for a single victory. But God had something more in mind, and He overanswered their prayer mightily! Not only did Israel get protection – they got the upper hand! They totally subdued the Ammonites!

"So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the Lord delivered them into his hands. And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities… Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel" (11:32-33).

Not only did God deliver Israel – He also gave them the courage and the direction to defeat the Ammonites! They subdued them from that time on – and they were never troubled by them again! They had total victory!

That is just how God wants to overanswer His people today! Most Christians pray, "Lord, just give me victory in this one battle." But the Lord responds, "I'll give you that – yet I have much more in store for you! I want to subdue your enemy so you won't have to get just one victory at a time. I want you to have a total victory!"

Beloved, He wants to give you power not just to overcome – but to subdue every enemy! He wants you not just to conquer sin – but to be more than a conqueror! Not just to have life but life more abundantly! Not just to have joy – but joy unspeakable and full of glory! Not to be free of fear just for a day, a week or a month but all the days of your life!

4. God overanswered David's prayer for life! "He asked life of thee… " (Psa_21:4).

David's request was simple – He asked God to save him from dying. And God answered his prayer: "…and Thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever." (verse 4).

But God went much further in overanswering David's prayer. He not only gave him life – He also put a crown on his head, making him king of Israel! And He poured out on him honor and majesty: "…Thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head…honour and majesty hast Thou laid upon him" (verses 3, 5). David exclaimed, "Lord, You've really laid it on me!"

Yet to top it all off, God added "exceeding gladness": "For Thou hast made him most blessed for ever: Thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance" (verse 6).

It is no wonder David wrote, "…with him is plenteous redemption" (Psa_130:7). He said, "Lord, You not only saved me – but You poured out Your redemption on me!"

The Old 'Testament patriarchs and prophets knew all about this most generous inclination of God. They knew He delights in being plenteous, abundant, overflowing with blessings to us. Isaiah said: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon" (Isa_55:7).

God not only forgives sin – He overanswers our cry for forgiveness with abundant mercy and pardon!

We Should Not Be Surprised By God's Delight In Overanswering and Overgiving – Because Men and Women Often Do It as Well!

People have overanswered in their giving – how much more our God!

"A Godly husband and wife in Shunem prepared a prophet's chamber in their home for Elisha to use. Elisha was so grateful he sent his servant Gehazi to ask, "You have cared for us – what can we do for you?" But the wife answered, "Nothing."

The servant came back and told Elisha she didn't want anything. But something in the prophet's heart wasn't satisfied. He said, "She's done so much for me!"

Suddenly the servant remembered: She was childless and desired a child. That was it! So Elisha called her: "And when he had called her, she stood in the door, And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son." (2Ki_4:15-16).

Elisha got hold of God, the Lord heard his prayer – and the woman birthed a son! Although she never asked for anything, she got the desire of her heart!

Perhaps you remember Naaman, who was healed of leprosy. Elisha told him, "I don't want anything from you. This is a free gift from God." But later Gehazi, in covetousness, stopped Naaman and said, "My master has had a change of heart. He would like to have "a talent of silver, and two changes of garments" (2Ki_5:22).

Now, a talent was a lot of money at that time. It probably could have bought a whole farm. Yet Naaman immediately answered, "…take two talents" (verse 23).

The Lord had so touched Naaman – he was so happy and blessed – that he desired to overanswer the request! Something in his heart wished to bless Elisha!

I ask you – how is it we can credit men like Elisha and Naaman with overgiving and yet believe God is any less kind and loving toward us? We often act as if He's stingy! We think we have to pull things out of Him, to agonize before we can get what we desire. No – our Father loves to give to us! He loves to overanswer our cry!

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" (Mat_7:11).

Now Let Us Go to the New Testament and Consider an Even More Glorious Vision Of God's Overanswering Nature!

Consider these examples: 1. What about the man, sick with palsy, who was brought to Jesus on a bed?

"And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed." (Mat_9:2).

This paralyzed man sought Jesus for healing – but Jesus overanswered his prayer! "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee… (Then saith He to the sick of palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house" (verse 6).

The sick man asked for healing – but Jesus gave him much more. He added the greatest gift He could possibly give! The man got his healing – but even better, he received forgiveness, eternal life, and good cheer to replace his years of sadness!

Jesus had known all along what He was going to do; He knew this man would walk again. But He said, "First, I want to bless you – I want to overanswer you. Yes, I'll heal your body – but I'll also heal your soul and your mind, Now take up your bed and go home!" 2. What about the thief on the cross?

The thief who hung next to Christ asked only one thing of Him: "Remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom" (Luk_23:42). His request was simple: "Think about me."

Jesus truly overanswered this man's request: "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (verse 43). He said, "I'll remember you – because you're coming with Me!"

Talk about an overanswered prayer! This evil thief could not even conceive of being saved. But he was told he would be waking up in a few hours in paradise – beside Jesus! 3. What about the crippled beggar who asked aims of Peter and John as they entered the temple?

"A certain lame man…seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms" (Act_3:2-3). Again, a simple request – just a little money. Yet what a glorious answer this beggar got!

Scripture says, "Peter fasten(ed) his eyes upon him" (verse 4). The beggar probably thought, "I'm going to get a quarter – maybe a dollar. This may be my lucky day." Instead, he got something all the money in the world couldn't buy – a new body!

"Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk…and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God" (verses 6-8).

This beggar not only was healed – he also received an outpouring of the Holy Ghost! The spirit of praise came upon him, and he danced and worshiped. That surely is an overanswered prayer! 4. Cornelius prayed diligently for a revelation of God's Word

– and God marvelously overanswered his prayer!

The Lord had spoken to Cornelius about Peter in a vision. So the centurion sent three servants to Joppa to fetch Peter, "to hear words of thee" (Act_10:22). This was his only request – to hear the gospel: "We want to hear the word of the Lord."

Yet look at how God overanswered his request: "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And…on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God" (verses 44-46).

It was as if God was so excited He couldn't wait for Peter to stop preaching – and He moved in to overanswer! The people standing nearby not only got the Word – they also got the Holy Ghost! And not only the Holy Ghost but the gift of tongues. And not only tongues but water baptism! "And (Peter) commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (verse 48:).

Cornelius only wanted the gospel – but God poured out heaven on him!

The New Testament Is Filled With Promises Proving God Loves to OverAnswer the Prayers of His People!

The most familiar promise of all is Eph_3:20. We all know it well – yet few of us live as if we believe it: "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…"

God isn't able just to answer our prayers. He wants to do for us exceedingly abundantly above all we can even imagine! He wants to answer us not according to our puny requests, but according to His riches and might. He wants to give till it runs out!

The Bible tells us elsewhere He is inclined to answer us with abundantly more: "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over…" (Luk_6:38).

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit" (1Co_2:9-10).

"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2Pe_1:4).

"…the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy…" (2 Timothy 6:17).

God is virtually begging us to ask for great things!

We like to call the Lord "our King." But do you pray large requests worthy of our King's greatness? A king is obligated to care for his subjects. And his people honor him by asking largely, believing he has all they need and will provide it abundantly. Dear saint. you can't call God "king" and then accuse Him of letting one of His subjects Continue in need!

A well-known philosopher approached Alexander the Great to make a request because he'd done a good deed for him. He asked the king for a gift of one hundred talents – a fortune in silver – for his daughters.

Everyone present was aghast. But Alexander had a big smile on his face. He said, "Give it to him! It is a request worthy of King Alexander. It is worthy of my wealth and my ability to give!"

I ask you – have you embarrassed God by your puny requests? "… prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal_3:10).

We Can Grieve God – Even Anger Him – By Not Asking!

We think it is spiritual to say, "I just worship the Lord – I don't ask Him for anything. Whatever He wants for me is good enough." That may sound holy – but it is not, according to the Word of God!

Over and over Jesus implores us, "Ask! Ask in My name! Ask, and you shall receive. Ask anything – whatsoever you ask. Ask what you will. You have not because you ask not. God gives good things to those who ask. He knows what you need even before you ask. Ask the Father in My name, and He will give it to you…."

But we don't have the faith to ask!

"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." (Isa_65:24) God says, "You don't have the faith or courage to ask for what I really want to give you. So I'm going to beat you to the punch! I'm going to answer you before you even ask, because your thinking is too small. I know your request won't come near to what I want to do!"

"Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD." (Isa_7:10-12) Ahaz's response may have sounded holy – "I won't tempt God." But it angered the Lord! It was hypocritical – because God knew Ahaz had lost his faith long before then!

Ahaz represents the backslidden church – Christians who have lost their faith in God, who don't believe in His great resources, "They say, "Don't ask God for healing. You're tempting God." That sounds good – but it is hypocritical!

Ahaz didn't want to have his faith tested – because he didn't have any! And many Christians today don't ask God for anything because it will test a faith they don't have!

You see, Israel needed deliverance. So God invited Ahaz to ask for confirmation of His faithfulness by any sign the king could think of – from heaven to hell. But Ahaz already had planned to call on King Tigath-Pilneser and Samaria for help. God said, "No! I'm going to fight your battle. I want you to trust in Me!" "…Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?" (Isa_7:13)

The Hebrew word for "weary" means "disgust." God was saying, "How long are you going to keep disgusting me because you're afraid to stand on My word? When will you ever learn that I have everything you need – that I will take care of you because I'm King and Lord?"

Isaiah told Israel, "You didn't ask for a sign – but God is going to give you one anyway." "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (verse 14).

Beloved this was the greatest overanswer of any prayer in history! The people had cried, "Send us a deliverer," hoping for some man, but God answered, "I'll give you a man. And yes, He will be a deliverer – for all mankind!" God over answered by promising Immanuel!

In Jesus Christ – Immanuel – we have God's most glorious overanswer of all. He is the fullness of God. In Him all riches and blessings abound. He is our great resource. And in Him is exceedingly abundantly more than we could ask or think!

Scripture Says, "And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground." (1Sa_3:19)

This verse means Samuel's prayers as well as his prophecies – none of them fell useless to the ground! Not one prayer went unanswered. Every word of God's promises that Samuel repeated in prayer was a seed that brought forth fruit exceeding abundantly!

Dear saint, when you go to your secret closet, remember: "…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). Always quote that verse – work it into your system, praying: "I come to You, Jesus, because I know You are God Almighty. You have all the resources I'll ever need. You are beyond my comprehension in greatness – but I believe You reward those who diligently seek You!"

Bring all your requests to God. Pray, believing He delights to over-answer you in His own way and time. Start asking today for the healing of those whom you thought were hopelessly beyond help. Trust Him for your hopeless financial situation, your unsaved loved ones.

He is going to give to you – to over-answer your prayer – exceedingly abundantly above all you could ask or think!

By: David Wilkerson