22. Devotional: Unanswered Yet?

Unanswered Yet?

by H. A. Ironside

Then said he unto me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words”. (Daniel 10:12)

    A great mystery is unfolded here in regard to prayer. Daniel had been praying “three full weeks” about a certain matter, and when finally the answer came, he was told that at the beginning of his supplication God had heard, but an angel from Heaven had been twenty-one days fighting his way through the evil hosts of Satan in order to reach him. The prince of the kingdom of Persia referred to in verse 13 was one of these wicked spirits evidently seeking to hinder God’s plan. This should throw light on many delayed answers. God has not been indifferent, but a conflict is going on in the heavenlies (Ephesians 6:12), because of which there seems to be delay, but God’s purpose is sure and His plan will be carried out.

1. Unanswered yet? The pray'r your lips have pleaded 

    In agony of heart these many years? 

    Does faith begin to fail, is hope departing, 

    And think you all in vain those falling tears? 

    Say not the Father hath not heard your pray'r; 

    You shall have your desire, sometime, somewhere.

2. Unanswered yet? Tho' when you first presented 

    This one petition at the Father's throne, 

    It seemed you could not wait the time of asking, 

    So urgent was your heart to make it known. 

    Tho' years have passed since then, do not despair; 

    The Lord will answer you, sometime, somewhere.  

3. Unanswered yet? Nay, do not say ungranted; 

    Perhaps your part is not yet wholly done; 

    The work began when first your pray'r was uttered, 

    And God will finish what He has begun. 

    If you will keep the incense burning there, 

    His glory you shall see, sometime, somewhere, 

    His glory you shall see, sometime, somewhere.  

4. Unanswered yet? Faith cannot be unanswered; 

    Her feet were firmly planted on the Rock; 

    Amid the wildest storm pray'r stands undaunted, 

    Nor quails before the loudest thunder shock; 

    She knows Omnipotence has heard her pray'r, 

    And cries "It shall be done, sometime, somewhere."

                                                                                       - F. G. Burroughs