How's That Working For You?

Adam, the first man.
Placed in the Garden of Eden, all his needs met.
When tempted by Satan, Eve disobeyed God and ate of the forbidden fruit.
Whether out of love or a desire to be like God, Adam, too, ate of the fruit.
Immediately, their eyes were opened, and they realized they were naked.
So they covered themselves with fig leaves and hid in the midst of the garden.
When God came to meet with them, He cried out, "Adam, where art thou?"
God knew where Adam was, but He needed Adam to realize where he was.
He was trying to hide from the omniscient, omnipresent God.
So, Adam, how's that working for you?

Sarah, wife of Abraham.
Destined to be the mother of a nation.
Beautiful, charming, yet devious.
She grew tired of waiting for God to fulfill His promise
And decided to take matters into her own hands.
She convinced Abraham to lay with her servant, Hagar.
But after the true promised son was born,
Trouble arose and continues to this very day.
Sarah tried to do a work that only God could do.
So, Sarah, how's that working for you?

Jonah, the prophet.
Called by God to preach to the people of Ninevah.
Disgusted by God's mercy to such a despicable people,
Jonah chose to do his own thing.
He hopped on the nearest boat and made a beeline in the opposite direction.
But when the winds grew fierce and the waves threatened to overturn the boat,
Jonah found himself first in the sea and then in the belly of a whale.
Jonah thought he knew better than God.
And then he tried to run from God.
So, Jonah, how's that working for you?

Ananias and Sapphira, members of the early church.
Sold a piece of property but kept back part of the profits for themselves.
Made out as if they were giving all that they had received.
In stealing from the church, they lied to God.
They tried to cheat God out of what was rightfully His.
They both paid with their lives.
So, Ananias and Sapphira, how's that working for you?

My dear friends, Satan is busy.  He goes about day after day accusing the brethren and tempting us to do the things we know we shouldn't do.  Whether it be hiding from God, running from God, playing God or deceiving God, temptations abound.  When God doesn't work like we think He should, it's so tempting to take matters into our own hands.  When God's ways don't make sense and His directions seem faulty, we want to run the other way.  When we've done the unthinkable, we assume that God can't chasten us if He can't find us, so we attempt to hide.  And as for cheating God, no, we may not rob Him of money, but what about time or talents?

Some days I wonder how Satan could possibly be bothering anyone else because it seems he's following me around all day long.  With every turn, he's in my face.  He shouts his lies.  He whispers his temptations.  He lures me with promises of happiness and contentment.  Yes, he keeps himself very busy in my life.  But my prayer of late is that when I am tempted, the Lord will remind me of this one question:  So, how's that working for you?  Through that inquiry, I'm reminded of the many who tried to have their own way and ended up making a giant mess of things.  I don't want that to be me.  I want to be the one who leaves everything in the Lord's hands and says, "Lord, I don't know what you're going to do with this, but whatever it is, I know it will be best."

Are you struggling today?  Is God not working quick enough for you?  Or perhaps He's not working things out according to your plan.  Take heart, my friend.  He is in control.  Don't try to take that away from Him.  I assure you, it can only end in heartache.  Trust God.  He'll work all things out.  Stand back and let Him work.

And since you're just standing there, there's no harm in praising God for what He's about to do.  Make good use of the time, and I have no doubt, everything will be just fine!

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6