"Perfect Wisdom"

Jesus prayed: “Not My will, but Yours be done.” We are not all-wise and do not make perfect petitions. If we had unlimited power, we would soon make a mess of things. God, however, will not be persuaded to do what is folly – not even to please somebody. His answers are wiser than our prayers; even His No!

It used to be taught that when King Hezekiah prayed for longer life and God granted it, that this was actually against God’s will – “Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father, ‘I have heard your prayer I have seen your tears, surely I will heal you ... surely I will add to your days fifteen years.’” This was taught, because it was during those fifteen years that Manasseh, Hezekiah’s wicked son, was born. Later, for over fifty years, Manasseh led the nation into wickedness. But, if Hezekiah had died without a son, then David’s line would have come to a premature end. Therefore, it was in God’s will to grant the extra fifteen years.

In Christ’s "family tree," there are princes and criminals, prostitutes and warriors, kings and idolaters – and so there are in every family tree. From generation to generation, God is constantly seeking those who will turn their hearts toward Him: Noah found His favor in the midst of sin – Abraham turned away from the false gods of Ur – Rahab the harlot helped save the people of Israel – Ruth left the idols of Moab and married Boaz, to become grandparents of David the king – and so on. Only God knows:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart; I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”

God does nothing against His will – even His long-term will – because He knows the end from the beginning, and never makes a mistake. Therefore, you can pray on with confidence, for your prayers are not in vain!