Gospel News — Mar-May 2012

to listen to His voice in the accusation by our enemies.

A Meditation

Bro Melusi Ndlovu (Kwe-Kwe, Zambia)

"And, behold, there was a great earthquake, for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven". The bright beams of God's glory went before him, and illuminated his pathway. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow, and for fear of him the keepers did shake and became as dead men. Brave soldiers that have never been afraid of human power are now as captives taken without sword or spear. The face they look upon is not the face of a mortal warrior, it is the face of the mightiest of the Lord's host. The earth trembles at his approach, the hosts of darkness flee, and as he rolls away the stone, heaven seems to come down to the earth. They see Jesus come forth from the grave, and hear Him proclaim, "I am the resurrection and the life". As he comes forth in majesty and glory, the host of angels welcome him with songs of praise.

An earthquake marked the hour when Christ laid down his life, and another earthquake witnessed the moment when he took it up in triumph. He who had vanquished death and the grave came forth from the tomb with the tread of a conqueror, amid the reeling of the earth, the flashing of lightning, the roaring of thunder. When he shall come to the earth again, he will shake not the earth only, but also the political heavens. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard. The heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll. But the Lord will be the hope of His people and the strength of the children of Israel (Heb 12:26; Isa 24:20; 34:4; 2 Pet 3:10; Joel 3:16).

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Why Some Prayers Are Not Answered

A Brother (Nalondo, Kenya)

As you continue to read your Bible, many questions are bound to arise in your mind. And no wonder! For the truth is so limitless that no- one can hope to compass it in our brief period of life. Occasionally you may stumble on an answer accidentally, but usually it has to be searched for with diligence. One such question concerns prayer. Perhaps you have asked about it yourself. If God is the God I love, why doesn't He answer all my prayers?

There is no doubt about God's willingness to answer: "Call unto me and I will answer", He says (Jer 33:3). Again, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for everyone that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened" (Matt 7:7,8). Nor is there any doubt about God's ability to answer. He is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Eph 3:20).

Nevertheless, it is clearly evident from everybody's experience, that some prayers are not directly answered, Why? Are there any conditions attached to prayer? There are indeed. Here are several:

1. You must have faith. "Whatever you ask in prayer you will receive, if you have faith" (Matt 21:22). You must believe that God is able to do what you ask Him to do. Without faith it is impossible to please Him. "For whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him" (Heb 11:6).

2. You must be thankful. "Have no anxiety about anything but in everything by prayer