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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, April 29, 2008
But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought..." 2 Kings 5:11
How many times have we been in a circumstance and prayed and set expectations and then God moved in a completely different way and we said, "But I thought.....!" There are many examples in God's word of what people thought and yet, God handled differently.
God promised Abraham a son, and yet as the years went by and no child came, I am sure Abraham probably thought, " I thought we would have a child by now!" As a result of human thinking instead of spiritual faith, Abraham and Sarah decided to help God out. We know the results of that decision.
As Lazarus was taken ill, and his sisters sent word to Jesus, I am sure they thought Jesus would come right away and heal him. But Jesus did not come right away. He waited two days and then went, arriving after Lazarus was dead! John 11:1-32
In the story of Naaman, he almost missed the miracle because the prophet did not handle the way he expected. How often do we pray for a need in our lives or someone else's and then set our expectations on how God will accomplish that need. Why do we do this? Do we possess knowledge of the future? Do we know all the details of the situation in question? Do we have the power to more the needed circumstances into place? Can we change a heart? Of course the answer to all these questions is "No!". Then, why do we think we can even imagine how our dear Lord will meet the need?
In the story of Naaman, he actually becomes angry and turns to go back to his country, although he still had the incurable disease of leprosy. His pride was injured because the prophet did not come out himself and lay hands on him. He just told Naaman what he was to do, and it would require faith, not logic or human understanding. To get a blessing from the Lord, He often requires us to exercise faith that actually goes against our logic and understanding.
Having trouble with finances? The Lord says give me the tithe, maybe even more than that, and I will bless you. Our reason says, "But Lord, I think I need this money for my bills and I don't think I can afford to tithe!" Now you must choose to live by faith or by logic. My husband and I have been tithing since before we were married (over 41 years) and have never had less because of it. On the contrary, we have experienced amazing blessings in seeing how God has always supplied our needs!
Isaiah 55:8 says, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." How foolish we are when we try to limit God to what we can figure out. How it must grieve the Lord for us not to trust Him to not only meet our needs, but to direct our lives. Are we afraid of what He might do?
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Our Lord loves us with an unconditional love and deals with us in compassion, mercy and grace. David said, "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them." Psalms 139:17
Let me encourage you today to just lay your need before the Lord and let Him work. Don't limit Him by setting human expectations! Remember who you are dealing with. He is almighty, sovereign, all knowing and perfect. Is He not able?
THOUGHT TO PONDER:When were your expectations not met in a situation? How did you feel? How did God work differently than you expected?
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- Sandy HastingsApril 29, 2008 |
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