Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Proverbs 16:9
The mind of man plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.

In Isaiah 55, God declares His holiness. We know that God is so far beyond us and that His timing is perfect. He answers prayer in a way that works all things for good for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.

But our perspective is so limited compared to God, that it is easy for us to become frustrated when God’s timing is different than ours. Take the example of Lazarus in the Bible. If Lazarus knew that Jesus’s plan was to receive great glory by raising him from the dead, Lazarus would have probably readily accepted his illness and death. Even his sisters, Martha and Mary would have understood. We don’t know Lazarus’s reaction to that situation, but we do know that his sister Martha blamed Jesus for not coming earlier. She basically said that Jesus was late, that if He had only come when she sent for Him, Lazarus would be alive. She didn’t trust God’s perfect timing. And many times we don’t either.

When difficult situations befall us we go to God for help. When our plans don’t work out the way we have carefully crafted them and our prayers aren’t answered in the timeframe or in the result we expect, do we react like Martha? Are we content to accept God’s timing and His plan? Do our prayers reflect a desire for His will to be done “in all things”, or just the ones that don’t inconvenience us? Are we willing to accept that God’s wisdom is the best in all situations?

I’ve been like Martha many times. I don’t like how I have reacted to His perfect plan and timing. There isn’t anything wrong with asking God for whatever we want, as long as we understand that it may not be what we need or may not be something that is even good for us. God, as our Heavenly Father will always do what is best for us.

Father, when I bring my supplications to You, I praise You for for answering my prayers so that it works all things for good in Your eyes, not mine. Thank You for always working things out for my best interest and for Your glory. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,