Expect the Best from God
Author
Nancy G. Marquez
Summary: Although our prayers may seem to receive the wrong answers, we can trust that God always does what is right and that his way is best. Like the cactus that later produced a beautiful flower and the caterpillar that became a butterfly, what seems unpleasant or incomprehensible today may reveal an unexpected good tomorrow. God has thoughts of good for us, knows what we truly need, and works according to his eternal purposes. What we desire is not always what is best for us. Therefore, let us continue asking, trusting, and confidently expecting God’s best at the right time.
Once, a man asked God for a flower and a butterfly, but God gave him a cactus and a caterpillar. The man was saddened because he did not understand why his request had been answered incorrectly. Then he thought that God attends to many people, so he preferred not to question Him. After some time had passed, the man went to check on the request he had forgotten about. To his surprise, the most beautiful of flowers had blossomed from the thorny, ugly cactus, and the horrible caterpillar had turned into an exquisitely beautiful butterfly.
This illustration shows us that God always does what is right. His way is the best, even though in our eyes everything may seem wrong. Jeremiah 29:11 says that God’s thoughts concerning us are thoughts of good and not of evil. If you asked God for one thing and received another, trust Him. Rest assured that HE will always give you what you need at the right time. Matthew 7:7 says that we should ask, and He will give to us. What a person desires and asks of God is not always what that person needs. God knows our paths and what is best for us. He works in us according to His eternal purposes. Keep trusting and expect the best from God when you ask Him.
Your present cactus will be your beautiful flower tomorrow, and today’s caterpillar will be your beautiful butterfly!