Reading Time: 3:45
Last week I wrote about how we so many times ask God to prove himself. Yet, we seem to still doubt him with our lives and take things upon ourselves that we have asked him to do for us. Have you ever had that person who asked you to do something for them then constantly stands over you inspecting every step you take? What that really means is they don’t trust you. Also, they don’t want you to do it, they want you to do it the way they would do it.
Therein lies the problem with trusting God. We say we need his help, but then lay out exactly the help we expect. If we knew how to do it, why did we ask him in the first place? Faith is firmly relying on God, not checking up on him every moment to see that he hasn’t dropped the ball. We fear trusting God because we expect a certain outcome in a certain way.
Recently I asked God for two things in another person’s life. They happened quickly, but I would never have wanted that person to go through what they went through to achieve their deliverance. God knows how to get things done where we would not. We want things to happen, but we are defining ways to do it that will not bring it to pass. Letting God be God means casting the care of that thing upon the Lord’s goodness and mercy. There is never a more merciful and efficient way to accomplish anything than the way God chooses to do it.
“9 Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then,
though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father in heaven give
good gifts to those who ask him!”
Matthew 7:9-11 NIV
Therefore you never have to concern yourself over how God is going to answer your prayers. He will do it the best way possible and consider everyone involved. Remember, he knows everything about each situation, even things you could never understand. He will do good for those you pray for. He will exalt his will over every situation. God gives good gifts to us.
Now here’s the rub. Sometimes we don’t pray because we don’t actually want God’s will to be done, but ours. There are certain things we want and we are willing to pay the price to get them. Actually, we are not wanting God’s help, but we also don’t want his interference. Deep inside we know this is not right, but in our minds we rationalize it by thinking we are not asking anything for God. We are willing to go this one on our own. What a shame! Anything we can dream up for ourselves is not nearly as good as what God has in store for us.
“9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard, and what no human mind
has conceived” — the things God has
prepared for those who love him.”
1st Corinthians 2:9
Let us approach God for more of what he wants in our lives rather than the things we say we want for ourselves. Also, let us intercede for others with the understanding that God is merciful and will bring them to where they need to be in the more beneficial way for all concerned.
We know when we pray for our children, we want them to experience God’s plan with the least suffering. God wants that for us too. However, suffering is part of his plan. Even Jesus learned from his suffering.
“ 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered
9 and, once made perfect, he became the source
of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”
Hebrews 5:8, 9 NIV
When we give it all to the Lord, let us remember to leave it in his hands and to work it out according to his own purpose. Keeping your mind off of it is the best way to keep your hands off of it. We can be assured it is for the best, he’ll take care of the rest, and we will be blest.
Pastor Brian Jenkins
Calvary Assemblies of God