Bible Reading: 1 Chro.28; Phil 1:1-15
“But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.” – 1 Chronicles 28:3 (KJV).
There are times we feel like doing things we believe are good either for ourselves or for God in a particular way, but God wants it done in another way. In Our passage of 1 Chronicles 28 , verses 2-6, David tells us of his desire to build a church for God. One would have thought this is a noble thing that God will easily approve. Alas, this was not the case! God told David not to build the church for him but his son, Solomon should build it. Thus David said in 1 Chronicles 28:3 (KJV), “But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.”
God is omniscient and knows everything, but human beings are limited in knowledge. Hence the bible says in Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord . [9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
This is why we should ask God of his thoughts on any major step we are about to take even where it appears obvious. Such was the case some years ago when I decided to leave the bank where I was working for another one and suddenly, I had two offers through some colleagues to be Managing Director of any of two different banks. This appeared to be obviously a great opportunity but by Gods grace, I decided to take it to God in prayer and surprisingly, God said I should pray for promotion where I was and not take a new job. Thank God, I obeyed as I was subsequently promoted to an Executive Director and one of the banks that I would have gone was acquired by my bank! You can imagine what would have happened to me if I had taken the job without asking God.
It is important that we always ask God what He is saying on all key issues of our life. And fortunately, he is always ready to answer us.
Action Point:
Ask God about his plan for your life in respect of the issue you are about to take a decision on.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero