According to God's Will

It is easy for us to mix up "wants" and "needs" and prove ourselves presumptuous.  There are things we take for granted on the level of basic human rights like good health and a consistent job.  We say things like, "She really needs healing" or "He needs a better job."  But are those pressing issues needs from God's perspective?  Isn't He able to do exceedingly above what we ask or think?  When we are ill we desperately desire health, yet the LORD is able to leverage something awful like illness to accomplish divine purposes beyond our comprehension.  Who is man to assert what God ought to do, the One who does awesome things without number?

In my own life (and prayer life too) I have observed a tendency to substitute what I see as beneficial changes in circumstances instead of a closer walk with Jesus and increased faith.  Pains, troubles, and uncertainties are often the impetus for us to seek God with greater fervency, and I suggest one purpose God allows these is so we will learn to seek and trust Him in a greater degree when things are well.  How good it is when instead of superficial and temporary fixes we endeavour to draw closer to Jesus.  When someone needs physical healing they really need Jesus; when a man is out of a job He needs Jesus too.  Jesus is a Saviour, Provider, and Redeemer - especially for those who are born again.

When people don't yet trust in Jesus as Saviour, our prayers can be for the salvation of others.  But once they are being saved we need to rely upon Jesus more than ever and cultivate the practice of seeking Him.  Just because I placed my faith in Jesus Christ for salvation or believe the Bible is the Word of God does not mean I am trusting the Holy Spirit for guidance in my present situation.  If we are facing impossible circumstances in our lives and need a miracle, if we are hoping for the miraculous our longing is misplaced:  we need Jesus, the One who does the miraculous.  If we are seeking the blessing alone we are misguided. for it is Jesus who blesses, heals, and restores souls.  The Giver is better than the gifts.

Proverbs 16:25 says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."  The "good life" we naturally want for ourselves and our children ends in a grave - regardless of the education, relationships, career, money, and achievements gained.  God's ways are higher than our ways, and He is worthy of our trust and adoration.  I am not suggesting we cease praying for others who are struggling or be cavalier concerning trials, but we ought not be presumptuous and assume God wants what we do.  We can see only one way out of trouble, yet the trouble might be the very thing which causes us or others to advance in faith.  If we had our way, we would often short-circuit what God has been working toward all our lives.  Trials and tribulations can be a boon to our faith.  This is the perspective held forth in 1 Peter 4:19:  "Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator."

Imagine it, that suffering could be according to the will of God!  Jesus suffered according to the will of God, didn't He?  Sometimes we suffer as the result of our sin, but Jesus was perfectly righteous and still suffered.  See how God redeemed it!  Can't He also redeem our suffering, o we of little faith?  Isn't our unbelief a great cause of our suffering?  With eyes of faith turned towards our Saviour we can rejoice in suffering, knowing our LORD loves us and suffered for our sakes.