
Isaiah 55:8-9
There once was a king who ruled a very peaceful country. One day, he went on a trip to a far away distant land. When he returned to his palace, he could only complain that his feet were very painful.
The people of the kingdom, had known for a long time, how coarse and bumpy the roads were. They too had achy feet when they worked or traveled. However, the king had not been aware, until he walked the roads himself.
The people loved the king and wanted to please him, so they gathered together to think of a solution to the problem. Someone thought that they should cover all the roads with soft leather. Others, thought that this was a good idea, but the cost would be to great.
When the king heard, that the people were gathering, he inquired of one of his servants, "Why are my people gathering?" The servant replied, "My lord, the people want to make your next journey more comfortable. They are thinking about laying soft leather on all the roads to make your journey more pleasant."
The king smiled as he thought about their idea. Then he had his servant ask the people to come to his courtyard. The people quickly came, happy to share their idea with the king. When the king appeared, he spoke, "My heart is glad to know, that you are thinking of me and how you wish to make my journey more pleasant when I travel. Tell me then, what are your ideas and solutions?"
The people stood looking at the king, and then one of them spoke, "My lord, why don't we cover all the roads with a soft leather. Surely that would keep your feet from hurting so." The king replied, "Yes, surely that would make my journey more bearable!"
Then with a kind face and a sparkle in his eye, he again began to address his people, "I think you have a marvelous idea, that only needs a little tweaking. Instead of covering all the roads, why don't we take that idea of soft leather and fit it around and on our own feet?" It wasn't long before the entire kingdom had a crudely, but newly made pair of shoes.
We read in Psalm 81:11-16 I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.
Many of us fall for the same lies, that the Israelites fell for! We fail to go to the Lord and seek His guidance. We convince ourselves that we are perfectly capable of knowing what we want to do and how we want to do it. We don't need anyone to give us their permission or a hardy okay!
I have been guilty of doing just that! I chose to do things my way... and when I look back, these were the times when, I "fell flat on my face!" These are the times when God seemed silent to me.
Why would God try to step in, where I hadn't included Him? Simply, because God is honorable and just! He will not impose His will for us, where it is not wanted!
Be it 'Good News or New Shoes,' God does want to answer our prayers. He wants our relationship with Him to be close and devoted. God wants us to go to Him with anything and everything, so that He can show us the best way to live our lives.
My friend, we can not expect God's blessings, when we do not want His counsel!