Why Not Now?

It’s been said, “Until the pain of the status quo exceeds the pain/cost of change, no change will occur.” Ancient Israel is the role model for this saying. Listen to the flow of Psalm 78:8-32 “A stubborn and rebellious generation…whose spirit was not faithful to God…He wrought wonders…He divided the sea…He led them…He split the rocks and gave them abundant drink…Yet they continued to sin against Him…they spoke against God…Therefore the Lord…was full of wrath…because they did not believe in God…the anger of God rose against them and killed some of their stoutest ones…In spite of this, they still sinned.” The rest of the psalm gets worse, and judgment falls. Take time to read the entire psalm.

In a later psalm, the psalmist laments, “In my trouble, I cried to the Lord” (Psa. 120:1a). The verse finishes with, “and He answered me.” God is always available to answer our prayers. Our biggest problem is that we don’t usually think of God until we’ve exhausted our own resources. Then we “cry out to the Lord.” Why is that?

There are many reasons.

Let’s look at just a few. One could be that we have no personal relationship with God through Jesus. If so, we likely don’t pray about anything. And if we did, to whom would we pray? But I’m assuming you’re reading this because you do know Jesus. One reason you might wait until you’re circling the drain is pride. You haven’t reached the point of trusting God for even the little things in your life. You think you’ve got this handled. How’s that working out?

Another reason could be guilt. You know you have some sin in your life that you think God holds over your head. It’s time to reread 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sin [then] He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.” Dust off your kneepads; all means all.

Since God promises

to hear our prayers and act on our behalf, we prove our lack of trust in the only One who can be trusted by not coming to Him. James reminds us, “You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures”(Jas. 4:2,3). Remember, it’s God who gives us the power to make wealth (Deut. 8:18), so He has a right to issue guidelines as to how we use it.

Another reason we don’t go to God sooner could be we’ve bought the devil’s lie that we’re not worthy. How could God love a scumbag like me? The Bible, Jesus speaking, says, ”…he who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out” (John 6:37b). There is only one requirement for this promise to apply: We must come in humility and repentance. If we meet this, then Jesus welcomes us—regardless of our sins—with welcome arms.

There are many more possibilities

as to why we wait until things seem bleak to cry out to God. And you’re not the first to think your reasoning is unique and valid. Fortunately, God is a God of patience and he “wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (I Tim. 2:4). The problem with waiting is there is a deadline that is known only to God Himself; after which it’s too late to change directions.

So think about today’s title and ponder your answer. Spoiler alert: there’s nothing you can say to defend doing things your way in rebellion to God. May God grant you the wisdom to just do it His way. Your future depends on choosing wisely. If you haven’t met Jesus personally you can, today. Click here  Steps To Salvation for a detailed look at how you can make sure you’re on the right path. Thanks for reading.