Judges 8, Isaiah 66, Luke 5:1-16, 1 Timothy 4:1-5, Psalm 25: I know God can do anything! The part I struggle with is will He. In Luke 5 we see Jesus healing the man with leprosy. The man says to Jesus “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” It was not that the man did not believe. He definitely did believe but he too struggled with the will you part. I love Jesus’ response “I will; be clean.” Short and sweet. It is not I will if you will clean up your act and do right. Or I will if you will commit to a certain thing. Jesus just got to the point and at His word the man was healed and clean.
I wonder sometimes if we don’t feel like we must earn our healing, forgiveness or blessing. God chooses what He chooses without us having to “Pay for it”. He is a good Father who longs to bring good things into our lives, however He is also a good Father who sees that not all we request is good for us. So His gift of a no or not right now are also good gifts we just don’t know it.
I am reminded of the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who told the king that their God would save them from the fiery furnace but even if not He was still God. In the end His will was above all else.
Today I am interceding for those of you who are asking God for something only He can give. I pray that He will, but even if it doesn’t come right now, hold on. He may be saying not now or this is not best. He loves you and only wants the best.