Have you prayed for something that, in hindsight, you’re grateful God didn’t give you? I remember twenty-something me sitting in church, hoping a certain guy would look my way. He never did, and I’m glad. Otherwise, I would have missed out on the story God wrote for my husband and me.

In the thick of most prayers, though, we don’t have the benefit of hindsight. In those times, we would give anything for God to just give us what we want.

In the thick of most prayers, though, we don’t have the benefit of hindsight. In those times, we would give anything for God to just give us what we want.

The children of Israel had such a crisis moment. They wanted a king like all the other nations. Even though the Lord God was the best and only ruler they needed, He decided to grant their request. What happened next reveals the danger of demanding our own way.

The Danger of Being Like Everyone Else

In the prophet Samuel’s later years, the children of Israel came to him with a blunt request. “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (I Samuel 8:5 NKJV). Though their words felt like barbs to Samuel, God explained that the Israelites were ultimately rejecting Him (I Samuel 8:7). In short, they said, “God, you’re not good enough.”

At first, I roll my eyes at Israel’s demand. How had they already forgotten the ten plagues to Egypt, God’s parting the Red Sea, His miraculous manna in the desert, and His provision of the Promised Land?

But then, I feel the prick of conviction. In how many ways have I essentially told God, “You’re not good enough”? You gave me this, but You didn’t give me that. You gave Jane Doe that blessing but withheld it from me.

However, God never meant for us to be like everyone else. He has a unique plan for our lives we risk missing when we get out of our lane.

The Danger of Worshipping Anything or Anyone but God

We usually think of idols as little golden statues, but they come in all shapes and sizes. For Israel, their idol was tall, handsome, and looked like a king. His name was Saul, the first king of Israel. “There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people” (I Samuel 9:2, NKJV). At first, everything seemed to go according to plan. Israel had a leader who looked the part and who could fight their battles.

Only two years into Saul’s reign, the illusion of perfection shattered. When Samuel did not arrive on schedule to offer a sacrifice before battle, Saul took matters into his own hands and offered the sacrifice himself. From the tribe of Benjamin, not Levi, Saul had no right to act as a priest (1 Samuel 9:1, Numbers 3:5-10). As soon as he had finished, Samuel arrived. Because of Saul’s disobedience, Samuel told him that God would not establish his kingdom but give it to another (1 Samuel 13:13-14).

The danger of putting our hope in anyone but God is that people will eventually disappoint us. That idol we covet will never satisfy us. Only God Himself can meet the longings of our souls (Psalm 107:9).

The danger of putting our hope in anyone but God is that people will eventually disappoint us. That idol we covet will never satisfy us. Only God Himself can meet the longings of our souls (Psalm 107:9).

The Danger of Leaning on Our Understanding

Like Saul, when we do what seems right in our eyes and step outside of God’s will, we always cause ourselves and others pain.

Rather than taking matters into our own hands, we should take the advice of James 4:15. “Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’” What if we stepped back and asked, “God, what do you want for my life?” He might not answer right away or He may seem silent, but neither response means He’s not working. Our job is to trust Him to direct in His time (Proverbs 3:5-6).

What makes us want our own way? It’s pride—pride that we know better than God. Instead of begging God to give us what we want, wouldn’t it be better to request what He wants for us? Praying that way does not come naturally. The unmet longing we have may feel excruciating. But when we give it to God, we can trust He will transform it according to His perfect plan. And one day, when we have the hindsight of heaven, we will say, “Thank you, Lord”—not for giving us what we wanted, but for giving us what we needed.

What unmet longings feel overwhelming today? God knows the desires of your heart. Ask Him to supply in His best way.