But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” -Romans 9:20
In the past I have prayed prayers that have not been answered. I have sought things for my own prosperity believing somehow God had to bend to my will because I am righteous.
You know what I found out?
I am not God.
Sadly, this is still the case for many believers today. They believe in free will, in signs, and wonders. They hold strongly to the Scripture verse that they can do “all things through Christ.” They are convinced that God wants to bless them and increase them, and to fill them with power and authority.
That is, until God fails to be “sovereign” in the way that they want him to, and when they want him to! That’s when they discover God doesn’t work their way. Their way is a very man-centered style of believing—as if you can twist the arm of Christ to do your bidding. They complain, “Well, I fasted and prayed…but God still didn’t answer my prayers.”
Or if they do something they think will prosper them, but it falls flat and turns out it doesn’t, then somehow God is still to blame.
So I’m here to ask a few questions—the same ones God asked a man who literally lost everything.
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?” –Job 38:2-5 ESV
God continues with these questions, and then the biggest question stops Job in his tracks: “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” –Job 40:2 ESV
Job is struck with silence as he learns what many of us should learn: We are not the potter, we are the clay. God has molded us specifically—he has fashioned us for his purposes, not ours. With that said, at times, we are in rebellion from God and in those moments we are accountable for our actions. Your parents cannot help you, your spouse cannot help you, and God doesn’t have his hands tied behind his back waiting for you to release him. Instead, you must submit to the will of the Father.
Let this be your prayer if you are in rebellion and angry at God because he didn’t immediately bend to your will:
“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” –Job 42:1-6 ESV
- God Must Submit to Me, Right? - January 30, 2018
- Are you Passing the Litmus Test for Salvation? - September 13, 2017
- Say Hello to 2017…and Goodbye to 2016’s Negativity - January 1, 2017
