MAX ON LIFE

54. When prayers aren't answered and calamities happen, is God sitting on his hands? Why does God sometimes opt for silence even when I'm screaming my loudest?

Your question proposes two responses from God in difficult times:
God can not.
God will not.
Can God do anything when faced with disasters and calamities? The book of Daniel states: "(God) does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him, 'What do you mean by doing these things?' " (4:35).
The Bible declares clearly that God can. As Paul wrote, "God.... is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters" (1 Tim 6:15).
Jesus can too. "The Son is.... sustaining all things by his powerful word" (Heb 1:3). God made it all. He holds the instruction manuals to everything. He knows how they work. God is unlimited in his power.
He can respond, and you can trust his strength.
Now, will God do anything when we need him to? Trickier question. I can't answer that. I would be God. That answer must trust his love and wisdom. God rescues those he wishes to rescue. He heals those he wants to heal. "I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act" (Is 48:10-11).
He may respond, and you must trust his sovereignty.
Sometimes silence from God may be the best response. When you scream at God, do you really want him to scream back? Mountains shake before the Lord. When someone screams at me, I find the best response is silence. Peace begets peace. Anger stirs anger. Be glad God is silent at times like that.
Although God may not speak when we want him to, he is working, silently, behind the scenes, bringing the best solution to the situation.
So always remember:
God can get it done, and God's will will be done.

By: Max Lucado