Don’t you wish God was more specific?
Should you give up your morning eggs because the allergist recommends it, or try to push through it?
Your heart is telling you it’s time to say goodbye to your boyfriend for good, but your friends say that’s crazy. What does God say?
Are you supposed to research gas prices every time you fill up and then drive an extra mile to save 15 cents?
Why are you such a worrier? Isn’t there a 3-step solution to get rid of all anxiety?
God, just spell it out, please! Send a helpful YouTube video from heaven that gives simple steps, a clear path, and understandable instructions.
Think about this for a minute. In some major biblical moments, God didn’t provide any instructions.
God didn’t tell Adam how to take care of the world, and Eve didn’t come with an instruction manual. Out of the blue God allowed Satan to inflict Job with serious suffering, and left Job on his town to figure out why. Godly women like Sarah and Hannah weren’t able to have children and God’s only helpful guidance was, “No sex outside marriage.”
Even when God’s own Son was being tempted by Satan in the wilderness, there is no booming voice of the Father from heaven like there was at Jesus’ baptism. Eerie silence. Was it lack of approval? Did the Father not care any more?
Remember Jesus’ response in that wilderness, as Satan drove the desire of the temptation deep into Jesus’ soul? “It is written” (Matthew 4:4,7,10). Each time, when tempted, Jesus knew the plan. It was the one the Father had instructed long ago in the words of the Old Testament Scriptures.
As for this specific setting, God the Father’s voice didn’t thunder from heaven because he believed his Son had what it takes to endure. And he believes the same for you.
“You don’t need me to sing a lullaby to you through this, or shout like a drill sergeant, or post a video. Figure it out. Move forward. Be courageous. You have all my promises.”
So pray boldly, live victoriously, fight temptation with gritted teeth and heart of valor, and don’t tell God what to tell you. When he’s not specific, he wants you to trust, to decide, and to act.
PRAYER: Dear loving Father, I sometimes hold back in fear. I’m waiting for you, when all the while you’re waiting for me to act on your promises without specific step-by-step plans. I trust that you know the way, and sometimes the way is for me to decide, have courage, and step forward knowing you’re with me. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Are you most like Adam, Job, or Sarah and Hannah lately when God hasn’t given you step-by-step plans? In what way?