“Sorry God, I Just Don’t Believe You”
Have you ever considered the life of Daniel in the Bible? On Sunday as my family was reading and talking about his early life we discussed a couple of verses that are refreshingly simply yet profound. Earlier in Daniel’s life as a captive in Babylon while serving in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court he was faced with a troublesome dilemma. The king had a particularly bad dream and awoke demanding that one of his astrologers or magicians interpret his dream. Quick to be the praised by the king the only thing these court tricksters seemed to do well was stall and equivocate while the king grew more and more impatient. Finally, in a fit of rage Nebuchadnezzar promised to have every astrologer and magician dismembered and their houses burned down if they did not interpret the dream. But even then not one them could deliver an interpretation. Hearing the news that he along with Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and all of the court astrologers were about to executed, Daniel requested to speak to the king. Boldly Daniel told the king that he could interpret the dream but needed some extra time to do so. It was later during the night that God revealed the meaning of the dream to Daniel thus saving many men from a gruesome death.
The wonderful illuminating truth is that Daniel did not first consult God about the dream. He did not go before Father and request the dream be revealed. He did not question or fret about the king’s demands. He simply responded in complete trust that God would deliver. In Daniel 2:14-16 we find Daniel requesting for more time to interpret the dream but he was able to fully trust that God would deliver because God said so in the previous chapter, verse 17. In other words, Daniel did not question God but instead believed Him wholeheartedly. But such a belief was proved openly in Daniel’s unwavering courage despite the adverse circumstances.
All too often as Christians we spend so much time trying to find out what God’s Will is for our life. We go before God and ask Him to show us His will. We do, do, do things for Him thinking that in some way that might fit into His plan. Yet, God laid all this out for us plainly in Romans 12. If we simply present our lives as a living breathing sacrifices to God He will then live out His life in us proving to us what His plan is for our life. We never have to try but only trust. By continually questioning Him we are really saying “sorry God, I just don’t believe you”. Certainly that may not be the our intent but none the less it demonstrates our unwillingness to fully trust in what He has already promised. Proverbs 3:5,6 says to trust in God with all of our heart – don’t trust in our own understanding. In every way acknowledge Him and He absolutely will direct our paths. What a great promise. Now ask yourself, is there proof of it?
Amen Cory!!! So many don’t see the fullness of what Gal. 2:20 says:
I am “crucified” with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet NOT I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith “of” the Son of God(He Jesus is our FAITH), who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Satan thought that he had won when Jesus hung on that old rugged cross, but in ALL actuality Jesus MULTIPLIED Himself in ALL of US… Amen!!! Now instead of just having the one Jesus to contend with the devil has got ALL of us Christ BODY to declare and decree because WE are His hands, feet, and mouths in THIS world!
What believers MUST realize is that they are DEAD, for they WERE crucified WITH Christ Jesus(see above verse).
Believers still think they have a say, but really they don’t they have a CHOICE to humble themselves or to rebel, but they WERE BOUGHT with a price(1 Cor. 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.) and are now slaves unto RIGHTEOUSNESS(Rom 6:18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness).
Rebellion to see as God sees us is what our main problem is, WE(our flesh) still THINK we have say in what goes on.
My suggestion is to DIE ALREADY… humble ourselves and begin to walk in His power and authority that is IN us! Will you BELIEVE it?
WE’VE BEEN SET FREE FROM SELF…PRAISE GOD! :O)
We just went through this with the house search… in spite of negative remarks from others, we knew God would provide something, even if it was just 10 days before we had to move… we always had a lot of peace while we continued in prayers. And as usual, God gave us immeasurable more than we could ask or think of!!!!
If God promised it then we can walk in confidence that He will always provide what is best for His kids even thought that does not always look or feel like what we may have anticipated. Given the right perspective, we will agree with Him on His provisions. Thanks Rosalee for the real-life example. Many times other people will not provide a lot of encouragement – trust God anyways as you continue to love those people.