Bob Sorge. The Fire of Delayed Answers. Kansas City MO: Oasis House, 1996. Print.

The Fire of Delayed Answers is a powerful and potentially disruptive book. It may comfort the afflicted. It will definitely afflict the comfortable.

This book deals with that perennial problem/mystery: Why does God either not answer certain prayers or seemingly takes forever to answer them?

The answers are not fluffy or easy. They may not fit someone’s comfortable theology. The examples Bob Sorge uses are Job, Joseph and Paul in prison, and David in the cave. The unanswered or delayed prayer is often a test of our faithfulness and our understanding of who God is. They are meant to draw us closer to God.

The Lord gave significant promises to Joseph and David. Joseph thought his father’s gift was a sign of that promise. It might have been, but before the promise could be realized, Joseph was sold into slavery and, as a slave, ended up in prison. Many years passed before Joseph saw the fulfillment of God’s plan.

The prophet Samuel anointed David king. After David killed Goliath, it looked like the skids to the throne were being greased. But it took many years hiding and narrowly escaping from the unstable King Saul before David was recognized as king, first by Judah, and then, finally, by Israel.

Neither Joseph nor David took what might have appeared to be shortcuts to their destiny because those shortcuts involved going against God’s Word. Joseph avoided Potiphar’s wife, though it cost him his reputation. David refused to kill Saul, though he had the chance more than once. Ultimately, the Lord blessed both of them, but what struggles!

The second half of The Fire of Delayed Answers focuses on Isaiah 30, especially Isaiah 30:15 which says, in part, “in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Sorge notes that most Christians fall on either of the “quietness” side or the “confidence” side, but God wants us to bring them both together.

Many on the “quietness” side emphasize God’s sovereignty. Life is hard, and we have to accept what happens in our lives as God’s will. It tends to passivity, sometimes even fatalism. I have heard critics of this position say that such people lack faith: If they really had faith in God, they’d be overcomers, their prayers would be answered.

Many on the “confidence” size emphasize God’s Word. God keeps his promise. He has promised believers power, love, and wisdom. God will never let us down. Sometimes this position tends to presumption or arrogance. I have heard critics of this position say that such people are heretics or teaching false doctrine.

Sorge could possibly annoy both sides—except that God’s Word wants to bring the two together. They are not mutually exclusive. Both sides need to understand God’s purposes and God’s love. The Lord does not want his people to be doormats, but neither does he want them to be proud. There is a balance—let us by God’s grace endure, but let us also delight in His promises.

I have had what I would call unanswered prayers in my life. At least two may likely remain unanswered because they appear to have timed out. One I still have hope for. But I do have to confirm Sorge’s observation that looking for answers in unanswered prayer is like being in a fire, and it can bring us closer to God. That truly is one of God’s ultimate purposes, to redeem and sanctify a people to Himself. (Titus 2:14)

Sorge shares personally. Although he is vague on the specifics, he writes that he endured a difficult physical ailment for a long time. It is not clear from the book whether the Lord eventually healed him or he has learned to live with it, but through it he saw Christ in a way that he never imagined. The author has lived this; it is not mere theological speculation.

You may end up reading parts of The Fire of Delayed Answers on your knees.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience, But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4, NKJV)

Aah. Amen. Lacking nothing, for the Lord is my shepherd. I think I read that in a book somewhere. (Psalm 23:1)