For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
Have you ever argued with God over instruction or wondered why He didn’t come through for you the way you had imagined He should? It’s often difficult for our finite minds to wrap around His Infinite wills and at times we think we know a better way. In times like this, we must learn to take God at His word.
Believing His promises
“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good and fulfill it?”
Taking God at His word means believing His promises. The fulfillment of the birth of Isaac occurred 25 years after God made the first promise to Abraham. During this time, Abraham and Sarah occasionally experienced doubts as to how God would fulfill His promise. Their doubt led them to suggest their own methods as opposed to God’s method. Abraham suggested the adoption of Eleazar, his servant, as an heir and later Sarah suggested that Abraham slept with Hagar, her Egyptian servant to have the promised child.
But God’s plan was higher than they could fathom and in His time, the promise was fulfilled. Whatever promises you have claimed in God’s word, whatever specific promise He has made to you in your walk with Him, You can take Him at His word because God would surely fulfill His promises.
Not Waiting for an Explanation
Taking God at His word also means following Him without waiting for an explanation. Reading the scriptures, there are many instances of people obeying God’s instructions without arguing. The children of Israel were to march around the walls of Jericho believing it would fall down even though they didn’t know how. The parents of Samson were to raise their son as a Nazarene without asking for so much explanation, they obeyed diligently.
Many times I have seen a Bible principle in scripture and followed it without fully understanding the benefits or scientific implications of this principle. I remember applying certain dietary principles I found in scripture to myself for a while before I got to see a series of medical documentaries explaining how these health principles benefit both mental and physical health. God has a reason for every instruction He gives us. However, sometimes, these reasons are not made known to us immediately. If we waited until it all made sense, we might never respond in time and by the time we understand His intent, it might have been too late.
No Excuses
In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus tells the story about the Parable of the Great Banquet. The organizer of the Banquet sent His servants to invite everyone to the great banquet. This represents God extending an invitation to us through Scripture, the impression of the Holy Spirit, and through His ministers. We’re invited to the privilege of Salvation, Peace, joy, and a kingdom with no more tears, sorrow, suffering, or death.
Unfortunately, the invited guests responded with different excuses. One had just bought a field and wanted to tend it. Another had just got married and yet another had business plans to test some new oxen on his farmland. Each of these excuses looked legit to the invited guests but in light of the value of that which they were rejecting it was a great loss.
Taking God at His words means obeying Him without giving excuses. It means we should not rationalize that the peculiarities of our condition are an excuse to disregard His instruction.
Hunger would not be an excuse to steal, the depth of sexual urges we might have experienced will not be a reason to commit adultery.
When our hearts are willing to follow God at whatever sacrifice, then we can be His true disciples.
Mark 8:35 says “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” Every sacrifice made in obedience to God’s word will be replenished in multiple folds.