Do the Illogical

Has God ever asked you to do something that just didn’t make logical sense? Most likely He has or will soon! When that happens, we tend to seek God according to our own reasoning and understanding. We try to make sense of the instruction and if we can, then we choose to obey it. If not, then we choose to not obey. How unfortunate for us, and for the work that God wanted to do through us if we would have obeyed.

In Proverbs 3:5-8 we read this, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

Peter, in Acts 10:9-15, experienced an illogical command from God. “About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This vison for Peter meant he was to go to the Gentiles, which at the time you did not do. Going to people who were not circumcised, when you were, was not done. That is why this vision for Peter was very illogical. God was telling him to go and do something that was not done. “What would people think?” is something I’m sure crossed his mind.

When Peter did go and meet with the Gentiles, the Holy Spirit came down and was poured out tremendously amongst the people. It was a great day and change was able to take place. People though, questioned Peter when he came home about why he did it. He gave them the full story of what had happened with the people and the Holy Spirit, and they ended up believing it was the right thing to do.

Peter was asked to do something that did not make sense and something that would cause him to choose between his own logic and God’s logic. He chose to do what God wanted him to do, and because of that, the Holy Spirit made a massive appearance that day.

There are going to be times when God tell us to do something that will not make sense to us. We must choose to do it though, no matter how illogical it sounds to us or even to others. People may question us and may even say we are wrong, but God will have the last word in the end. What we have to remember is that God told us and not someone else, and we do what He says. It does not matter what we or others think. What matters is we obey God and not worry about other opinions, knowing we are accountable to God above anything else.

When God gives any of us a command logical or not, it is always for His purposes and His glory to be revealed. Just as for Peter’s instructions to go to the Gentiles was for God to get glory. Peter had no idea what was going to take place that day, but even though he didn’t understand, he still went.

So, the next time God gives you a so-called illogical instruction, do as Proverbs 3:5-8 instructs you and do whatever He asks of you. When you fully obey all that He commands you, that is when you’ll see God’s glory revealed and then you’ll be blessed, and so will others.

What About You?

1. What holds you back from fully trusting God’s voice?

2. What is God asking of you right now?