Many of us think that when we pray and what we are specifically praying for does not conform to our expectation and delivered not according to our own timetable, our default conclusion is … “God did not hear my prayer or He did not answer me.”   Then, our confidence gets tarnished with a negative thought of not being worthy to be heard.

But hear this truth in His Word,

“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6 AMPC)

How about considering the sovereignty of God to express His perfect will by closing the  door of what we want because He has something better in store?  How about giving Him room to have His way which is always the best way?  How about fully relying on His perfect timing while we patiently wait?  How about asking Him to open our eyes to see the answer for He may have answered it yet packaged in a different way?  How about trusting Him with all our hearts and leaning NOT on our own understanding?  How about acknowledging Him in all of our ways regardless of their conformity to what we desire?  How about relying on the truth that He is directing our paths?

Our God is great and He is able.  With Him, nothing is impossible.  But it is equally important to know that He is GOOD!  Our security and confidence come from knowing that in His sovereignty and might, He is LOVE, He is faithful, He is true to His promises, and He is committed to our good.

Be aware to never let offense rule in our hearts when things do not go our way.  Sometimes we need to be patient to press in to seek Him and to draw near to Him to hear the beating of His heart towards us.  Know that His plans are good, ALWAYS good, and He KNOWS what He is doing.

^“For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.” (Jeremiah 29:11 AMPC)

Children throw tantrums when they do not get what they want.  We had our fair share of those before our ALL-KNOWING Heavenly Father.  But we grow and mature to be His sons and daughters and “all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)

Having a childlike faith is different from being childish.  Jesus said,  “Let all the little children come to me and never hinder them! Don’t you know that God’s kingdom realm exists for such as these? (Mark 10:14 TPT)”  Childlike faith denotes embracing our continual neediness and dependency on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It sees our necessity to grow and glow with Him being the source of life and strength.  Apart from Him, we are nothing.  We are likened to a branch that can never live nor grow apart from the Vine let alone be fruitful.  But childish thinking simply implies refusing to grow up, wanting his way all the time. It is driven by selfish ambition regardless of its consequence.

But God Who is rich in mercy and abounding in love gave us the Holy Spirit to abide in us forever.  His indwelling in us guides us into all truth and teaches us in the way we should go to grow into having a deeper knowledge of Who He created us to be.  He breathes life into every word that proceeds from the mouth of God and make it come alive in our lives.  

“Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.” (1 Corinthians 14:20 NLT)

Yes, we are all a work in progress.  Yes, we are learning day in and day out.  Yes, “like newborn babies, we must crave pure spiritual milk so that we will grow into a full experience of salvation. We cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.” (1 Peter 2:2 NLT)  But as we grow, there will come a time when we desire the meat of God’s word that leads us to spiritual maturity.  In the process, we continue to meditate His Word day and night, night and day, for the unveiling of the His Word by the Holy Spirit builds us up from strength to strength, from faith to faith, from glory to glory.  

“For every spiritual infant who lives on milk is not yet pierced by the revelation of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, whose spiritual senses perceive heavenly matters. And they have been adequately trained by what they’ve experienced to emerge with understanding of the difference between what is truly excellent and what is evil and harmful.”  (Hebrews 5:12-14)

Mysteries are vital for us to develop and exercise our trust in our ALL-KNOWING God.  Isn’t it funny to think that we question our Omniscient God when things do not conform to what we want?  Praise God that NOTHING offends Him.  The Blood of Jesus Christ sealed us into being the apple of His eye, His treasured possession and the object of His affection.  He is crazy in love with us that He so delights to be invited into our life’s journey and be NEEDFUL of Him every step of the way.  Bottom line is, He desires to have an intimate relationship with us who responded to His great love that was powerfully demonstrated when He sent His only beloved Son, Jesus Christ, Who came that we may have life and have it more abundantly.

“Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him.”  (John 14:23 AMPC)

Photo Credits:  Binky Tolegida; Nami Island, Korea