Perhaps the greatest limitation we put on God, in our own minds, is our human finiteness. Because we know no other existence, it is difficult to imagine a God that is not bound by time and space as we are. Consequently, we attribute to God the same limits we ourselves have. We have no way of knowing what choices we will be faced with tomorrow nor what we will decide in that given moment. But, because God is outside of time and space, He is already as present in our future decisions as we are present in this very moment. And since He is already present in our future choices, don’t you think He has something prepared for us? That is to say, as if He doesn’t already know every single choice we will ever make and He has the right thing prepared for us in that choice.

Let’s take Jonah, for example. God commanded him to go to Nineveh and preach to them about repentance. However, Jonah did not want to go, so he decided to jump on a ship heading in the opposite direction. Even in the moment God command Jonah to go, He knew Jonah would choose not to go. That is why we see in Jonah 1:17 that God had already prepared a fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah had no way of knowing that would take place when he told the sailors to throw him overboard.

I’m curious how we can apply this lesson to our current situations. Is there something currently happening in your life that has caused you some confusion? Some doubt? Some uncertainty? Do you suppose God is surprised by what’s happening in your life right now, as you yourself might be surprised about it? He is not surprised. Do you think He doesn’t already have something prepared for your next step, and your next step, and the one after that? Does He not have a place for you? A purpose for you? A provision for you, a promise to be fulfilled for you?

Look at Psalm 23:5, “You prepare (put in order) a table before me in the presence of my enemies…” God has already prepared something. Also, in II Chronicles 29:36, “And Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced because God had prepared (provided) for the people, for the thing came about suddenly.” God provides by preparing for His people. Again, in Psalm 68:10, “your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you prepared (provided) for the needy.” He knows our needs. He prepares and provides for those needs. Matthew 6:8 teaches us this principle.

I Corinthians 2:9 is a beautiful promise we would do well to remind ourselves regularly. We can’t imagine, but God has already prepared for us!! “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”