“He prayed to the Lord, “isn’t this what I said Lord, when I was still at home? This is what I was trying to forestall….But the Lord replied “Is it right for you to be angry?” Jonah 4:4
We are constantly asking for direction and wisdom in our lives and when that comes, we try to forestall and turn our back on that direction. We sit on the seesaw of our decision and balance the weight of it in such a precarious way. Should I go or should I stay? Should I defend my position or should I listen more closely to the presentation of truth? When God grants us the request of our lips why do we retaliate in anger when it doesn’t go as we planned?
As of late, I have thought about this often. In Psalms 22:1-7 it says “The King rejoices in your strength, Lord. How great is his joy in the victories you give. You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of His lips…For the King trusts in the Lord through the unfailing love of the most High, he will not be shaken.” I don’t frequently remember the victories nor do I emulate His Joy as I tend to sidestep the amplification of his love. I do become shaken because I let all that is around me stir the pot and let my anger overshadow the situation. Temporary recipes of quick fixes fail to go to the heart of the matter and I forget that He is my strength and a confident trust through it all, because the War has already been won.
I have run into a couple of situations lately where in the midst of God answering my prayers, I still throw in my “rights.” I have stomped my feet in frustration as I held onto things that were not part of God’s present direction. Like Jonah I held onto the destruction of Nineveh and the plant instead of seeing God’s better plan being implemented. It’s the small rebellions that blind us.
When God speaks, what do you try to forestall? The questions run from the deep part of our minds but are the answers being found in the deeper parts of His heart?
“Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to another.” Zechariah 7:9
Prayer Requests:
We have arrived in Togo where we will be setting up for our next 5 months of field service. Please pray for protection as we establish relationships with the Togolese people.
There are a few frustrations with a current roommate, please pray for patience and understanding as I learn to interact with her.
There are some big decisions regarding direction and future.
Traveling mercies for new crew that are coming in.
Praises:
We had a nice relaxing time in Ghana. It was nice to experience the holidays with a smaller crew.
God still continues to deal with me tenderly, even when I begin to stomp my feet.
This side of Grace 