Spending Time With God - Part IV (Page 2)

Part IV Continued

In my own personal devotions I ask a lot of questions. I have actually written down or typed into my computer questions I ask God about scriptures that I'm reading. It's very interesting for me to go back and read some of those questions and see how God has answered them. And He doesn't always answer them immediately. Sometimes it takes a while before He gives me the answer. So when you ask God, "What does this mean?" don't expect a sonic boom or a thundering voice from heaven with an instant revelation. You may have to search. You may have to think. Sometimes we're just plain thick-headed. Jesus was always turning to the disciples and saying, "Don't you guys understand yet?" So sometimes it's just our own thick-headedness, and it takes a while for us to see it.

There may be times when it's not God's will to give you the revelation. In other words, there are going to be passages He doesn't want to give you insight on at the time you ask. Jesus said to his disciples on one occasion, "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear". John 16:12 (NIV) There are some things that are only going to come in time. Some things you can't handle as a little child in the Lord. Some things God is only going to show you as you mature spiritually. It's just like with my young children. There are certain things I don't let them know about right now. They don't need to know how every appliance in the kitchen works. They don't need to understand everything about electrical power. They only need to understand my voice that commands them not to touch (for their own protection). I'll explain those things when they're mature enough to understand, and then they will not only understand them but also be able to use them in very practical ways.

In Ephesians 1:17-18 Paul records a beautiful prayer for the believers in Ephesus:

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you... (NIV)

You might have had the experience of reading a verse that you have asked for understanding on many times before and all of a sudden the light pops on and you understand it completely. Most likely God just gave you the revelation regarding that passage. So ask questions. "Lord show me. What does this mean?" And in time, He will teach you.