Not What You Want...

 

Let's face it, as human beings, we have more wants than we have needs at certain times of our lives. 

Some of these wants aren't always bad wants either. Some of them are actually understandable and relatable. For instance, people want to be married, have a car, be rich, travel the world, etc. 

To want something isn't a bad thing, but what happens when you do not get what you want?

What happens when God holds these wants that you have away from your grasp?

I'm reminded of these stories. One is the 3 Hebrew boys when they told the king that even if God doesn't come through for them they still won't bow. 

The other being Hannah (mother of Samuel), who in the midst of God holding out on her what she really wanted still went every time to worship Him. 

Will our answers be one of these?

Or, will it be like Jonah who wanted the children of Ninevah to be punished and got angry because they didn't when God relented?

Or, like the children of Israel that complained at every chance they got?

I have seen wants completely shatter people's relationship with God. I have seen them walk away from Him and turn their back on Him because what they have prayed for and asked for did not come through for them or the time they needed it to. 

Forget what He has done for them already. Every needs He has already supplied for them and stepped away from their faith because what they wanted wasn't cashed out. 

They cried and prayed for more money in their bank accounts, for a person who wasn't the one God saw fit for them to be in their lives, more friends, and anything that was superficial. 

They fussed and begged for everything they wanted and when that didn't happen, they up and left the faith. 

It's crazy!

But, there are some hard pills to swallow when you are walking on this narrow path. These pills are going to be difficult to get down, but when you do get them down pack then you will understand.

The first pill is God is able to supply every one of our needs. 

Philippians 4:19

"And my God will meet all of your needs according to the riches of His Glory in Christ Jesus". 

Our needs will always be His first concern for us. Bear in mind, giving us what we want isn't far-fetched from God, He can still give us the desire of hearts, but that isn't what He deems as a requirement for our lives. 

So before we get hooked on our wants not being met, let's look at the many needs He has supplied for us. 

The second pill with difficulty to swallow is gripping the fact that God is our Father, not our Sugar Daddy. 

2 Corinthians 6:18

"And, I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty"

Our relationship with Him should be more than what we can get from Him. It should be a strong foundation of obedience to His Word, love, honor, and respect. 

We should not find ourselves constantly in prayer always asking what we can get from Him. Never asking for forgiveness, or glorifying Him, but just constantly before Him on what we want right now, or what He can bless us with right now. 

The last hard pill to swallow would be if building a connection with God based on what can be received from Him only, then a person will be considered shallow. 

I am reminded of the story of Peter and John during their mission to spread the Word of God and Simon the Witch Doctor who saw the power of God displayed through them. Acts 8:9-24 says, that when Simon saw this he wanted to get the power too, but for his own gain. He didn't desire to know God. He didn't care to obey His Word or build a relationship with Him, he only wanted His power. 

He was shallow.

James 4:3

"And when you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

The relationship between God and us are one-sided in a sense of us owing Him everything and Him owing us absolutely nothing. 

So, again I ask, what do you do when you don't get what you want?

Will you be like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego or like Hannah?

Or, will you be like the Israelites or Jonah?

Will you understand that our needs are more important and that our relationship with Him should be built on more than what we can get from Him?

Or, do you believe that it is His job to give you what you want and need?

~TheRay