"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
2 Peter 3:9
We get pretty impatient sometimes, wanting God to respond in a certain way, and definitely on our timeline, giving him deadlines for proving things to us, or for changing the circumstances of our lives, somehow thinking that if God "really loved us," or whatever other justification we are using, that he will meet our needs as defined by us, in our way. After all, doesn't God tell us to ask and he will give? So what's the problem?
The problem is that, well, first of all it is God. He always knows best, by definition. And second, we can't manipulate him with guilt. It's like with our earthly parents. If we asked them for a bomb, no matter how much we want it, or how much we beg, and even though they do love us (and likely because they love us), they are going to say no. I mean, maybe if we're a demolitions expert, but even then, hard to imagine. God qualifies his offer many places in the scriptures, telling us not to ask for things for the wrong reasons (James 4:3), and that we actually have to do more than just ask (D&C 9:7), being obedient and dedicated.
Today, let's work on not asking for things that we shouldn't, and trusting God, including his decisions and his timing, more. Let's not find slackness where none exists. :)
2 Peter 3:9
We get pretty impatient sometimes, wanting God to respond in a certain way, and definitely on our timeline, giving him deadlines for proving things to us, or for changing the circumstances of our lives, somehow thinking that if God "really loved us," or whatever other justification we are using, that he will meet our needs as defined by us, in our way. After all, doesn't God tell us to ask and he will give? So what's the problem?
The problem is that, well, first of all it is God. He always knows best, by definition. And second, we can't manipulate him with guilt. It's like with our earthly parents. If we asked them for a bomb, no matter how much we want it, or how much we beg, and even though they do love us (and likely because they love us), they are going to say no. I mean, maybe if we're a demolitions expert, but even then, hard to imagine. God qualifies his offer many places in the scriptures, telling us not to ask for things for the wrong reasons (James 4:3), and that we actually have to do more than just ask (D&C 9:7), being obedient and dedicated.
Today, let's work on not asking for things that we shouldn't, and trusting God, including his decisions and his timing, more. Let's not find slackness where none exists. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment