Don’t Rush Ahead of God

I have been praying about something for many years.  It’s not a bad thing; it’s a need.  There are ways that I could make this come to be.  It would be a stretch financially, but I could do it.  However, the Lord has held me back at every turn. 

I’m thankful for reminders in Scripture of people who have taken things into their own hands, because as I read the consequences of them doing so, it reminds me to take my hands off of my devices and give my prayer request to God to answer in His way and in His time.

In Exodus 32 we read:
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.

The Israelites thought Moses should have been down from that mountain by now!  Their thoughts were focused on their own needs – “What was he doing up there, anyway?  Shouldn’t he be down here leading the people?”  So, in their haste to get what they wanted, and in their time frame, they had Aaron make them a golden calf to be their god.  They took things into their hands and not only made an idol – they also made a mess! 

Whenever you and I get weary of waiting on God to answer and take things into our hands, we will be in the same boat.  How do we jump ahead of God?  By:

• going into debt to buy something we can’t afford
• having an immoral relationship before marriage
• using medication to escape reality
• quitting church because of a problem/person there
• ditching a relationship
• turning our back on God because we’re sure He’s never going to answer

May we instead be like the Sons of Levi who gathered themselves with Moses as those that repented of their sin of going their own way and declared that they “were on the Lord’s side.”

Waiting isn’t easy, but it will be worth it.  I often sigh in my waiting.  I get frustrated and have to ask God to help me be content while I let His timing be perfect.  If He says yes to my prayer, it will be a God-sized task and I will be ecstatic!  If He never allows it, I’m praying for contentment and a heart that says, “Not my will, but thine be done.”  Thanks for your prayers for me in this time of waiting.

Are you waiting for God to answer a request? I’d be happy to pray for you, too.

With love,