“Therefore speak to them, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the Lord will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols.” – Ezekiel 14:4 (NKJV)

Samuel was a young man of about thirty years of age. He’s been dealing with a lot of issues in his life and he has always been praying to God for breakthrough. Unknown to him, God was working behind the scenes to make all things beautiful for him but he was already tired and would just accept anything that comes his way. After much struggles, he got two job offers from different companies of repute in his State.

Before praying, he has made his findings and fallen in love with one of those companies because it matched his description of better life and the pedestal with which he will be started with is on a high one but the second company was willing to employ him but he will have to gradually move up the ranks. But Samuel didn’t want this because he felt he had suffered for long and now needs to start with something really lucrative. At this point, he began to pray in order to know which choice to make.

But as he prayed, he kept on thinking and planning towards the company that matched what he wanted, however, it wasn’t what God wanted for him. God wanted to use the gradual progress he would make in the second company to train him. After much prayers, God answered him according to the idols of his heart but not according to His will. In no time, he resumed at the workplace and started well but the character defects that he’d not yet dealt with soon caught up with him and was dismissed from the company.

Now, he went back to God in prayers to ask why the Lord would allow such to happen to him but mercifully, God told him that he got the answer he wanted because he wouldn’t accept God’s will for him. And the Lord taught him a very important lesson: God loves him more than he lives himself and He has the best plans for him. Harboring a desire in the heart that does not align with God’s Will will only mislead him from doing what God desires.

Dear believer, rid your heart of every idol before you pray to God. Many believers are in marriages with people who were not God’s will for them but match their specs. Some are studying courses that God didn’t ordained for them but they loved those course anyway. As strict as it might be, you must surrender all desires at the place of prayer and trust the Lord make His will come to pass for you.

Reflections: What did I ask God that I already have a way I want Him to answer me? How much do I trust God for my life?

Confession: I am one of a pure heart. I allow the Word of God to take root in my heart. I am cleansed from every idol that may look to have space in my heart. I trust God completely.

Related Scripture: Ezekiel 14:1-11

Bible Reading: Genesis 33