Even If...Part 3: Know Your Place
Sometimes, in our knowledge that we are children of God, we can take on an entitled mindset. We set expectations on the way God should act toward us. We think, “God wouldn’t allow ____ to happen to me if He truly loved me.” Instead of keeping God as our Lord, we, though unintentionally, put ourselves in that position instead. We do this when we become the judge of what God should do, think, or feel. Maybe we don’t say it, but our attitude speaks volumes.
Look at the account of the blazing furnace in Daniel chapter 3. Shadrach (Hananiah), Meshach (Mishael), and Abednego (Azariah) were thrown into a blazing furnace for not worshiping the idol of himself that King Nebuchadnezzar set up. They were remaining faithful to God’s command: “Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.... Do not make any idols” (Exodus 34:14 and 17 NIV).
While they believed God would deliver them, they also made the conscious decision to worship only Him even if He didn’t. Seeing that these men were taking a stand for the Lord, it doesn’t make sense that He would not come through for them. Yet, these men were not interested in what made sense to them, they were only interested in honoring God. Because they left room for a more disappointing outcome, there was no room for ultimatums. They didn’t say, “If God delivers us, you and we will know He is real and worship Him.” They chose instead to trust God’s sovereignty and existence no matter what their circumstance.
Even though God understands why we may feel the way we do when we let our minds entertain such thoughts, He does not excuse them. Look at Job. Job 1:8 tells us, “Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.’” Despite God describing him in this way, Job lost his livestock, servants, and children, and then was afflicted with "painful sores" all over his body (Job 2:7). All this happened with God's permission!
Job hit rock bottom and became so distressed that he wished he'd never been born. Rather than asking for forgiveness or explaining His choice to let Job experience such anguish, however, listen to how God responds, “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much” (Job 38:2-4 NLT).
God never apologizes for the way He does things. He understands the way the world, people, and you work better than anyone else. He doesn't need to explain Himself. He manages all of creation, not just us. We are so limited in our understanding and sometimes think we know what's best, but God has all knowledge and wisdom. We cannot become so prideful that we even let the thought that God owes us anything cross our minds. He already gave more than He had to by allowing Jesus to bring us salvation. We need to know our place and truly see God as our Lord (and act like it!). That means that, like Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, we choose to submit to and worship God no matter what He allows to come our way. If there is an ultimatum (something that could happen in your life that would turn you away from Him), then you are still acting as lord of your life. You are already standing ready at the door. It is okay to know what would test you and be difficult to overcome. That is different from already knowing that there is a limit to what you will endure for God. If that is your attitude, then you are already turning your back on Him and not giving Him your all. You are only preparing for the day you will leave, not strengthening your relationship (and submission) to Him in order to stay.
Take some time and evaluate whether God is truly your Lord. If not, go back to the Word (Bible) to be reminded of God's majesty, submit to Him in prayer and worship, and allow Him to direct your actions and thoughts. We must intentionally make daily choices to see Him as Lord of our lives and act on it. We cannot cultivate an even if attitude without doing so.
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