I read the most interesting verse
the other day. It was about the journey of the Israelites in the
Wilderness and how they complained and complained to God the whole
time. How they moaned and groaned until He gave them what they
asked for.
Psalm 106:13 - 15 "Yet how quickly
they forgot what He had done! They wouldn't wait for His counsel!
In the wilderness, their desires ran wild, testing God's patience
in that dry land. So He gave them what they asked for, but He sent
a plague along with it."
Wow, after murmuring and
complaining the whole time, the Lord answered their prayers and
gave them what they wanted, even though He knew it was not really
the best for them. They were more concerned with immediate physical
gratification, than lasting spiritual satisfaction. They didn't
want what was best for them and didn't wait on the Lord to provide
for them even though He said He would. They wanted their needs met,
now!
When I think back on my life, I am
so glad that the Lord didn't always give me what I asked for!
Really I am! Before I was married I can remember that I was madly
in love with this one man. I prayed to the Lord and I even fasted
that the Lord would give him to me. I asked and asked and thank
goodness the Lord didn't give me what I asked for! If I look back
now it would have been an utter disaster! It would never have
worked out. That relationship would never have brought out the best
in me.
Another time I begged the Lord that
my husband and I would get another coffee shop, despite the one we
have now. We thought that expanding was a very good idea. Thank
goodness He didn't, because if He did, we would never have seen my
husband and the boys would have grown up not knowing their father,
as he would have been forced to be at both of the shops 24/7. Or
worse yet, I would have been at the one and he at the other and our
boys wouldn't have known either of their parents, plus we wouldn't
have had time for one another.
There are many other examples. But
now when I think back I am so glad that the Lord was merciful to me
and didn't grant my requests. I praise Him that He didn't relent
(change His mind) as He did with the Israelites and gave me things
that would have been harmful to me.
God is omniscient. He is
all-knowing; He knows the past, the present and the future.
Everything is in His Hands and He knows best. Pray and ask the Lord
your heart's desires, but always ask that His Will be done and rest
in it. As the Psalmist is saying, wait for His counsel. He will
give you an answer and if it is 'no', rejoice! Because He will work
it out for your utmost best.
Thank you Lord that we can let go
and let You take over our lives. You know our heart's desires and
You know what would work out the best. Thank you that we can rest
in Your provision and care. In Jesus' Name. Amen