God Knows What He's Doing

 

It’s amazing the things we ask for sometimes, isn’t it? I know we often look at others and say, “That’s ridiculous! You need to be more realistic!” But what if God gave each of us exactly what we ask for? A traveling couple shared this story about a certain journey. “During a trip from California to Indiana, it didn’t help that our connecting flight from Denver was delayed twice because of mechanical problems. Then, after we were aloft, we noticed the lights began an annoying flickering. Mentioning it to a flight attendant we were assured, ‘I’ll take care of it.’ Moments later the lights simply went out. Clearly the problem had been solved. A passenger across the aisle leaned over and said, ‘Whatever you do, don’t say anything about the engines’.” So, what if God granted us everything we asked for – would we be happy with the results? I can pretty much guarantee we would be surprised at the results, because often we really don’t think through what we are asking of God. I recall a fictitious story from my youth about a young man who was killed in an accident in which he was caught in some kind of machinery. Someone gave his grieving mother some sort of magic potion that would bring him back to life. She used it, and he did come back to life. But he came back screaming to die because of the pain from the way his body had been mangled in the accident. The loving mother hadn’t thought of that happening. All she wanted was her boy back with her again.

[Job 42:2-3] “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore, I have uttered what I don’t understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” It’s easy to thank God when He does what we want. But God doesn’t always do what we want. Ask Job – His empire collapsed, his children were killed, and what had been a healthy body became a rage of boils. From whence came this torrent. From whence will come any help. Job goes straight to God and pleads his case. His head hurts. His heart hurts. And God answers. Not with answers – but with questions – an ocean of questions… “Where were you when I created the universe?” type questions. After several dozen questions, Job has gotten the point. What is it? The point is this: God owes no one anything! No reasons; No explanations; Nothing! If He gave them, we wouldn’t understand them.

God is God. He knows what he is doing. When you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart. He is trying to bring souls to salvation (1 Timothy 2:1-4) and transform saved souls into the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:29). He will do whatever it takes to accomplish that eternal purpose. He’s more concerned with our eternal character than our external comfort.

Jesus was in a tough situation, (about to be killed - assassinated) when He prayed to God the Father, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). Do you think perhaps Jesus understood that God the Father had a better understanding of what we need than we do ourselves? Could it be that just perhaps we should adapt Jesus’ method of praying? Surely God wants us to ask Him for the things that are on our heart, for Scripture clearly says, “…you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). Perhaps it’s time we started adding the words of Jesus to our prayer, (and really mean it), “Not my will, but Your’s (Your will) be done.”

What is God using in your life to get your attention? The generation gage serves as my ignorance concerning the Charlie Kirk assassination, but I must reiterate, God knows what He’s doing. Forgive, and press on in God’s love. It’s time to seek God’s will in your life. May God bless you with all you need and with the ability to realize that He’s all you need!