Love the puzzles. . . .

Yesterday I was driving home from meeting with my prayer partner. As I came near to a pharmacy, I knew I was supposed to go there. The Holy Spirit insisted, but I didn’t know why. Once inside, I reviewed the aisles where I might need something, but nothing popped to mind. Then I found it, something important I needed but had totally forgotten until I saw it on the shelf. Praising God, I paid at the till and went home.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. (Psalm 139:1–6)

Too wonderful indeed! The Lord remembered what had slipped my mind, but instead of putting that in my head, He urged me to stop at the only place on my way home that had it.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)

Why did He do that? To show me that He knows my needs even if I cannot remember them, and supplies my needs even when they slip my mind? If I worry about dementia, there is no need. If I get too busy to think straight, He will think for me.

While the word ‘higher’ can be translated ‘arrogant’ not so with God and His ways. Rather, they are beyond my imagination. This gives me reason to worship. It also gives me confidence to pray and ask Him to surprise me.

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Sometimes I’ve told God what I want done, but never have I been able to guess what He will do. His ways are higher, but not only that, I am not God and the Holy Spirit who lives in me does not let me in on everything about His creativity. He only tells me what I need to know so I will obey Him and so He will be glorified rather than me gaining any credit or praise.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20–21)

PRAY: Jesus, You show me how to live in a kingdom filled with surprises and instead of getting upset that I don’t know how or when, You enable me to trust You to answer prayers Your way and be content to wait with great expectation of what will happen next. I’m so blessed and so glad to enjoy the puzzle rather than chaff because I’m not able to guess Your mysteries. Bless You.