What We Want Vs What God Says

What We Want Vs What God Says 

by David Brenneman 

We certainly want justice! We don't want to wait for it!  We want it now!

Really?  Consider it well what the Bible says.  "You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;  for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.  But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.  But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and has continued in it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an active doer, this person will be blessed in what he does." James 1:19-26 NASB95 

"saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”" Luke 22:42 NASB95. 

Did not Jesus have every right to be angry at those who would mislead others about Himself, His Father and the Spirit?

Did not Jesus have every right to be angry with those who abused Him, beat Him, nailed Him to the cross?  

Does not Jesus have every right to instantly send people to Hell for their here and now rejection of His free gift of salvation?

We really need to consider what it is that's true and necessary vs what we think is deserved.  

We are to submit to the rule and the authority of God in our lives...it's not for us to demand that God submit to ours.

But I don't do that!

Not in so many words or ways but yes we often do.  When we decide to disobey the Word of God in favor of our own path in life.  We decide what is the right and true definition of good rather than to seek out what Jesus said truly is true.  We don't like to wait. So we rush headlong into decisions. We didn't like what so-and-so said or did so we met out our own words or actions to deal with it instead of taking it to the Lord in prayer. 

It's certainly arrogant to think our wisdom exceeds that of God in the situations we face.  It's proven to be that in the four Gospels. Dozens of examples of human arrogance as displayed in the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  

We want microwave justice.  We want results instantly.  God says what?  Patience.  Love is patient, love is kind. What all DOES it say?

"Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails;" 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a NASB95. 

But God! Look what they said! Look at what they did! 

Hmm.  You would so easily forget that the same God you are complaining to didn't already know your situation since before time began?  That He is well acquainted with grief?  That He was a man of sorrows?  That His heart was breaking on that walk to Gethsemane? That it was breaking as He was taking to that place to be crucified?

We have no rights to reserve for metting out our own justice.  We have no standings to base our thoughts on what constitutes justice.  Only He is God over all and in all. 

We must always take it to the Lord in prayer.  King David wrote time and time again about his situations that he did that very thing. 

Those in the Church were rebuked because they were suing one another rather than keeping it within the Church and seeking God's help in situations.

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.  Jesus sought the Father’s Kingdom and the Father’s righteousness. 

Consider how different this world would be without the unmerited favor of God. 

Consider how different this world would be without the mercy of God. 

Consider how you really really wouldn't like your life if God chose to withhold His grace and mercy from you.

Jesus knows our every thought, every intention.  Knows our every pain. Every sorrow.  He knows.  He also says "My Child, trust Me. As for you, you follow Me."

We have a world that has turned everything that God holds dear as disposable.  Disposable marriages, disposable children. Disposable this and that. Throw it away, get another.  

Jesus isn't to be disposable to you. What He says ought to be at the center of your life.  What He teaches should be on your heart and mind.  Pray for those who persecute you or say perverse things about you.  Take it to the Lord in prayer. 

What a friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

all because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful

who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden,

cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge--

take it to the Lord in prayer!

Do your friends despise, forsake you?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In his arms he'll take and shield you;

you will find a solace there.

Author: Joseph Medlicott Scriven (1855)