None of us can know what God is thinking.
In fact, the Bible literally says that in 1 Corinthians 2:11: “The thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.”
The point Paul makes is that the only way any of us can know what God wants from us is if He tells us. Which, thankfully, He has through the written Word of God.
But that’s really enough for us some of the time, is it? We may say that we’ll take things on faith, but when it comes time to make a decision in life, we would love for God to give us just a hint of what was going on.
It’s that silence that makes it so frustrating sometimes.
Staring at Rebekah
When Abraham’s servant first sets out to find a wife for Isaac, he asks God for a simple sign. Let the woman who not only offers me a drink, but also my camels, be the one God has chosen for Isaac.
Within minutes of that prayer, Rebekah comes along. She’s gorgeous, hard-working, and best of all (in that time period) a close family member.
She also fulfilled the servant’s request. She not only gives the servant a drink when asked, but offers to water his camels without prompting. That’s what he asked for and that’s what she did.
So why does he stare at her so long? According to Genesis 24:21, it was in order for him to figure out “if the Lord has made his journey successful.”
Staring at God
It’s at this point that you want to shake Abraham’s servant. God has clearly given you exactly what you’ve asked for. What other proof do you need?
And yet how many times have we stared the proverbial gift horse in the mouth and questioned God’s blessings or not?
In other words, how many times have we prayed for something, gotten exactly what we asked for, and still wondered whether God was behind it?
I am not arguing that God is our fairy Godmother, just sitting around answering our every whim. What I am asking though is that when we pray for forgiveness, or wisdom, or peace, and we get it, why do we not recognize it as coming from Him?
I will never be able to understand the ins and outs of God. I wouldn’t even know where to begin.
But what I do know is that I would much rather make the mistake of thanking Him for too much, than not giving Him enough credit for all the things He has done.
Is it even possible to thank Him “too much” anyways?