God wants us to have complete confidence in His glorious plan (pattern). That within Christ is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Not in the experts or logic of the world. Moses did not ask for the advice of man when constructing the tabernacle he followed the plan of God. Noah did not ask his neighbors for advice in building the ark he followed the plan of God. Why does Paul make this point? Continuing in the verses we see:
I say this in order that no one may mislead and delude you by plausible and persuasive and attractive arguments and beguiling speech. Colossians 2: 4 (Amplified)
And so it still goes today. Many Christians are being misled and deluded by the arguments of the world. Those arguments may very well seem plausible and make sense but remember it is only when judged by the standard man has set up. The logic of the world can be very persuasive without the plumb line of God, the Bible, to measure it up against. Those who buy into it can make many an attractive argument using beguiling speech. What worried the Apostle Paul thousands of years ago still is a problem today. And why? Why is our faith weakened at certain points? We know that God can do anything. We know that He created the heavens and the earth and that His arms are not short. We know He is interested in the very minute details of our lives. Despite knowing He has a plan for our future and would never harm us; why do we turn to the logic and solutions of this world? I believe there are two primary reasons why we turn to the world. Either we do not like the speed at which God is answering us or we simply do not like the answer.
We must remember that God's timing is not ours. He is not limited by our understanding of time as Peter teaches us:
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2Peter 3: 8-9
The key phrase there is "as some understand slowness." We live in a microwave society where we expect things done yesterday. When we come against a trial in our life we want it over with as fast as possible but God might have other plans. He might be trying to refine us in the fire. What seems slow to us is merely His perfect timing. God knew exactly when Joseph needed to be released from prison. I am sure for the 13 years when he was in prison; Joseph must have felt like God was responding a bit slowly. But when the timing was perfect he went from the prison to the palace in one day! Do not give in to the temptation to seek out the worldly pattern simply because you think God's pattern is too slow. Faith believes that God knows best.
Similarly, I believe we can turn to the experts and logic of the world when we simply do not like the answer God has given. There are three answers from God yes, no and wait. If we are not careful we can enter into prayer with a heart that is only going to accept yes for an answer. Yes, regardless of whether it is part of God's perfect will. Yes, even though we cannot see as God can what will happen as a result. We trade in the omnipotence of God for our own impatience. This life is not Hollywood. All endings are not happy. There is illness and suffering. There is surgery and trepidation. There is the finality of death. Sometimes the answer from God is no. Sometimes the answer is that there is grace in the suffering. The Apostle Paul pleaded three times for God to take away a "thorn in his flesh." Something so severe he called it a messenger from Satan sent to torment him. God's answer to Paul was no. The grace of God would be sufficient for Paul and it is just as sufficient today for us as believers. We do not need the experts of the world selling us the latest thing man thinks he has figured out. Not when we already have the hidden wisdom of God in Christ Jesus and He already knows exactly what we need and what God wants. We do not need the logic of the world; only the grace of God and the faith to accept the answer whatever it may be. Remember, God knew the earth was round far before science realized it. God knew that leeching was not a swift medical idea before the physicians of the day figured it out. Today what man embraces as fact will be tomorrows old wives tales and God will still be God.
I do not know what mountain you are going around today. I do not know how high that mountain looks. I do not know how many times you have circled it. I do not know how many solutions you have tried from the world. All I know is I believe everything the Bible says:
Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. - Mark 11: 22-24
Do not doubt in the pattern of God. Do not seek the solutions this world has to offer you. Believe and receive today. Amen.
Reverend Anthony Wade September 30, 2009
