Not Getting What We Want

So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat. I Kings 21:4 (New International Version)

Ahab had requested to buy a vineyard from Naboth. Because this vineyard was his family inheritance, Naboth refused to give it up. He was right in his decision. But Ahab did not want to hear the word no. He went to his room and refused comfort and food. His air of entitlement and thoughts that life should always go his way are what ruled his heart….and hence his actions. His tears would not be dried and food would not be his companion until his wife, Jezebel, had Naboth put to death and the vineyard finally became his. God saw this as Ahab selling himself to do evil and pronounced a death sentence upon him. In the end, I have to wonder if Ahab still considered it all worth it.

This passage becomes a wake up call to me. If I have a teachable spirit, God will cause His Word to pinpoint areas in my life whereby I must guard against having an Ahab response to the disappointments of life. My expectations can run deep when it comes to relationships, occupations, opportunities, possessions, and personal goals. If I am focused on immediate gratification instead of eternal value, the set backs, obstacles, refusals, and closed doors will trigger an Ahab response in me. I will become very self focused, sulk, and complain within myself. I will lose site of others and the kingdom work that needs to be done. I will somehow convince myself that I am insignificant and things will never get any better. Misery, tears, and anger will mark my path and life will be far from the way God purposed it to be for me.

What does my Father do at that point? Allows me to experience enough pain from my “fit” to drive me back into His arms for restoration, comfort, and renewal. Humility and submission open the door for me to once again realize God’s love and involvement in my life. He is too loving to let me have all the things I want. His extravagance is in the area of giving me what is for my good and His glory. He knows I will not always understand but my the delight He has when I simply trust Him. What joy and peace are mine when I give to Him the confusion, disappointment, and heartaches.

It will always come down to what I believe about God’s character. Do I believe He loves me, has the best intentions for me, and is bringing about His chosen plan and purpose for me? If the answer is “yes” then I will begin seeing “no” as a loving response from Him rather than an act of cruelty. I will rest instead of resist.

Father, show me my Ahab ways. Teach me the ways of Your Spirit. Your gifts abound if I will but open my hands to receive them. Amen.

In Your Hands - Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThE0kn3u1kc&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.