'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — November 27

When we pray, we must be wary that our misunderstanding of providence does not make us faint. God cannot answer our prayers if they cross his revealed will or secret providence. Since God makes all things work for good to those called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28), that which cannot be for our good shall never be given. The physician knows better than the patient what is good for him, and so in like manner, many things are denied us that would hurt us. We see fathers keep knives, burning sticks, and such sharp and dangerous things away from their children because they love them and want to keep them from things that would hurt them. God answers our prayers in his way though we might desire it in our way. 'O', said Naaman (2 Kings 5: 11), 'Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.' But the Lord will not be tied to means. Paul's prayer for the ship was answered; they all came safe to land, but some on broken pieces of the ship, and some swimming. Let God appoint the means, and your deliverance shall be more speedy and comfortable. God sometimes gives exactly as we ask, but at other times answers in value, though not in kind. He did not take away Paul's thorn, but he gave sufficient grace instead. Paul was answered in value. So many times our prayers are heard when we least think and perceive it, and the good is done to us, as it were, against our will. Men cry out to the surgeon to take off the plaster that hurts, but holding it there cures us. God answers far better things than we desired. When we labour in prayer and do not receive what we asked for, God makes it up better in another way. Your prayers are not lost, but paid double.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
Richard Sibbes, Works, VII:235-240
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