Verify Podcast

A few years ago, a colleague at work made a comment about how she had never seen me pregnant before, even though she knew I had been married for several years. She went on to tell me categorically, that if I wanted to get pregnant, I must go beyond just praying and trusting God, and I must give God an ultimatum! Now, I had heard many things in my time of waiting to have a baby, but this one struck me differently. Give God an ultimatum? Who was I, I thought, to give the Lord of heaven’s armies, ruler of heaven and earth, an ultimatum? As if to corroborate my colleague’s stance, about giving God an ultimatum, I began to hear in some circles, how it’s ok to command God to give us our heart’s desires. Those who teach this, base it on Isaiah 45:11b (KJV) which says “and concerning the works of my hands command ye me”.

Now, I am always an advocate of not just reading, but studying scripture within context, and so studying the entire 45th chapter of Isaiah, in different bible translations, provides context to verse 11 and reveals that the chapter actually talks a lot about God’s sovereignty, might and authority. In fact, several bible translations render verse 11 as a question, challenging those who would dare to command God. Also, several other portions of scripture across the bible, speak to the supremacy of God above all else (Col 1:16, 1 Chron 29: 11-13) and the reverent posture, we as humans should have towards Him. Rom 9:20 says “Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the One who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” Rom 11:34 asks “For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice?” Isaiah 45:9a says “What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker?” These are all very humbling portions of scripture and therefore to claim that Isaiah 45:11b is about commanding God to do our heart’s desires, would mean ignoring its rendering in various translations and discounting the context of surrounding verses and the overall context of the bible on this matter.

James 5:16b makes us know that a righteous person has great power in the place of prayer. However, we are never to exercise that power over God, who Himself is the source of all power and authority!

I pray today, that the reverential fear of God, which ought to fill the heart of every true Christian, will be abundant in ours, in Jesus name, Amen.