Let us examine several more promises from the God Who cannot lie that will address the church’s accusation that God has in fact lied. He assures us that if we knock, THAT DOOR will be opened (not some other door), that if we ask for something we will receive THAT THING, not some other thing, and if we seek something we will find WHAT WE SEEK, not something else. But when talking to church people they will, if being honest, admit that their prayers are not answered. This will be followed by any number of excuses as to why God went back on His Word. But the fact of the matter is that God does not open the door they knock on, does not give them what they ask for and does not cause them to find what they seek. SO WHAT IS GOING ON? Is it true that we cannot take the Almighty at His Word? If He tells the Truth, why does He not answer church prayers? The answer is found in the same tome in which are found His promises–His Holy Bible–the Word we are commanded to live by (Mat. 4:4) and by which we will be judged (Jn. 12:48).

Relative to the theme of this series, let us return to Psalm 91:7 where God made His promise of protection to those who are called by His name. Notice in verse one that there is a qualifier–an “IF”–relative to receiving what He promises. Notice that He narrows the promise of protection down to “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High.” This tells us that His promises are not to all who call Him their Lord, or to all who belong to “the church,” or to those who claim to dwell in His secret place while disobeying His Word (sinning), which He says in Isaiah 59:2, separates them from Him. One cannot be separated from Him and reside in His secret place. In other places He tells us that His promises are not to those who “… call Me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not what I say” (Lk. 6:46), or to those who “… draw near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but whose heart is far from Me.” Why do His promises not apply to them? “In vain do they worship Me, TEACHING AS (MY) DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN” (Mat. 15:8,9). A few questions will clear up exactly who these people are to whom His promises do not apply. Who claims to dwell in His secret place? Who calls Him their Lord? Who worships Him? Who rejects His Holy Word in favor of the teachings of men? Three groups of religionists fall into that category: Catholics, Protestants and Jews. The picture should be coming clear now. GOD’S PROMISES ARE ONLY TO THOSE WHO OBEY HIS WORDS. In the eyes of the Lord, faith, churchiness, Bible study, tithing, praying, fasting, witnessing, etc. mean nothing if obedience to His Word is not the foundation upon which those activities are built. Without the Stone foundation of Truth–God’s Word (Jn. 17:17), the “house” (religion) will be built on sand. L.J.