Much of the time we recognize when God answers our prayers. Yet, there are times when God answers our prayers in such a subtle way that we overlook the blessing God has granted. An excellent example of this was the answered prayers on behalf of young Caleb Steinback. The 3 year old was ill and tested to have a high platelet count in his blood and a low amount of hemoglobin. The doctors scheduled additional testing the following Monday. In the mean time prayers were offered at many congregations the Sunday before his additional tests that he might be healed of whatever ailed him. The Monday tests revealed his blood to be normal.
The doctor had a hard time trying to explain why he ordered additional tests when the subsequent results showed no abnormalities in Caleb’s blood. Three excuses were offered. It was suggested that the doctor misread the initial results. Yet, the initial results still showed unusual levels in his blood. It was suggested that the father misunderstood the doctor’s explanation of his son’s condition. Yet, the doctor still ordered the additional tests. It was also suggested that Caleb had an unknown infection that his body was fighting. Yet, by Monday he had totally recovered. The human side of us would like to think that there was a logical explanation for the confusion. Regardless of where the confusion took place we tell ourselves that we are thankful that it was just some kind of misunderstanding or miscommunication.
But was that the reason? Or is it more likely that God answered our prayers in such a subtle way that we are left looking elsewhere? We know God answers prayers. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matt.7:7-8). In fact, God is most willing to exceed our requests. God “ who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph.3:20-21). So is it unreasonable to think that the initial test results were accurate; that the doctor appropriately ordered the additional blood tests and that the additional tests were accurate despite the doctor’s reasoning that something was at fault. Our faith should tell us that nothing was at fault. Caleb is a healthy young boy because God answered and exceeded our prayers!
We should pray that God isn’t insulted by our lack of faith when we overlook the blessings of answered prayers. “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke1:37).
By Steve A. Hamilton shamilton@rap.midco.net