It is heart-wrenching for a servant of God when someone receives healing and blessings from God but fails to acknowledge Him. Many people attribute God’s actions in their lives to various other factors. This raises the question: why does God continue to do good for them? Jesus answered this by revealing the nature of His Father, who gives rain and sunlight to both the evil and the good. God does not provide only for the righteous but nurtures all of His creation (Matthew 5:45).
Jesus also instructed us to strive for perfection, just as our Heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). The scripture tells us that since God is holy, we should also become holy (1 Peter 1:16). Unfortunately, people often ask God for things that lead them away from holiness, yet God still provides for them.
Forgetfulness
Humans are naturally forgetful. It is difficult for us to remember everything from our past because not all experiences are registered in our minds. We tend to retain only what interests us. For instance, abusive words from close associates or betrayal by loved ones leave a lasting impression, never forgotten. This is a result of our deep connections and expectations from others.
Similarly, even if we read the entire Bible multiple times and memorize many verses, it is not possible to recall everything at once. Remembering and using these verses appropriately during challenging situations is difficult. However, God provides His Holy Spirit to help us remember the right words for our life situations, bringing tremendous results (John 14:26).
One of the most significant forms of forgetfulness for a believer is forgetting what God has done in their life. If we are not progressing in our spiritual life, it reveals our forgetfulness.
But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.- 2 Peter 1:9 (NIV)
So, we learn that forgetfulness is not due to ageing or similar issues, but rather a lack of interest in the subject matter. If we show interest in wielding the double-edged sword, the Holy Spirit will help us use it effectively to achieve victory. By surrendering our lives to God, the Holy Spirit will guide us through any situation.
For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along. – Isaiah 59:19b (NIV)
Reckless Behaviour
Sometimes, people act recklessly, willing to sacrifice important things for little or nothing. A gambler, for instance, might risk all his possessions just for the thrill of the game. These individuals are shortsighted, unable to recognize the long-term consequences of their actions. For example, in his hunger, Esau sold his birthright to his brother and could never reclaim it (Genesis 25:32-34). Worldly desires and the lust of the flesh can blind us to the future, causing us to focus solely on the present and miss out on the blessings God has prepared for us.
Not only with regard to blessings but also concerning the tasks assigned to us by God, we are often unaware of God’s work for us and instead focus on the work the devil assigns. We become engrossed in activities that bring us immediate happiness. When it comes to God’s assignments, we often perform them as mere tasks or duties without joy. Have we ever considered the devil’s work as a task or duty? We enjoy doing it without making excuses. We find the time, strength, and resources to fulfil the devil’s tasks. Even in our weakness, we gather strength to lament, gossip, or accuse, but we lack the time, strength, and “opportunities” to do God’s will. Aligning ourselves with God’s will enables us to fulfil His tasks with all our strength.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. – 1 John 5:14 (NIV)
God For The Just And The Unjust
Whether anyone knows God or not, God knows them and nurtures them. This can frustrate many believers who see wicked people flourishing and wonder if other gods are more powerful or if our God is being unjust toward us. They forget that there is only one God. They question the purpose of following God if others are prospering. These doubts often plague believers, leading some astray when they don’t find concrete answers. First and foremost, God blesses everyone, whether they ask for it or not, because He is the Creator and provides for all. At the same time, He asks believers to align their minds with His to free themselves from doubt.
…that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. – Matthew 5:45 (NIV)
We should understand that worldly blessings are not the only things we should seek; understanding God is much more important. We often pray for knowledge and wisdom only during exams and interviews and seek His blessings at other times without truly seeking Him.
A Case Study
Most of the time, beneficiaries are unaware of the source of their blessings because they don’t seek to know. They are simply satisfied with what they have received. In the wedding at Cana, when the groom ran out of wine, Jesus’ mother informed Jesus of the situation, although He may have already known. She asked Jesus to help the groom avoid embarrassment. The groom, probably, was unaware of what had happened.
When the master of the banquet praised the groom for serving the best wine later, the groom accepted the appreciation silently. He did not know that Jesus had performed a miracle at his wedding and should have attributed this to God. To him, it was not a miracle but perhaps a coincidence or a result of his good qualities. This raises the question: if Jesus did not intend to impart faith to the groom, what was the purpose of changing the water into wine?
Many believers grapple with this question when their prayers are answered, and those they prayed for do not attribute their blessings or healings to God, sometimes attributing them to something else. Believers should understand that such gracious answers are primarily meant to help them understand God’s will rather than to impart faith to the recipients.
At the wedding at Cana, the purpose of Jesus’ miracle was to strengthen the faith of His disciples rather than to impart faith to the groom. This teaches praying believers that God cares for everyone, regardless of their awareness of Him. Even when we did not know Him, He poured out His love to save us from eternal death. This same love and forgiveness are available to all, not just to a specific religion or group.
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. – 1 John 2:2 (NIV)
Jesus performed this miracle to transform His newly chosen disciples into new creations. Their lives, previously as tasteless as water, were about to be filled with purpose and meaning. Andrew, Peter, John, James, Philip, and Nathanael were the disciples who accompanied Jesus to the wedding. The water in the six stone jars symbolizes these disciples, who, like the groom, did not know God or His ways. After the miracle, as water turned into wine, these six disciples experienced a tremendous transformation. Their formerly purposeless and tasteless lives were now filled with the overwhelming peace and joy of God, meeting the needs of others and bringing happiness.
Take Away
So, when people close their eyes to what has happened in their lives and reject the truth, do not lose heart. God answered our prayers, perhaps to help us understand Him better. Broadly speaking, it is not our prayers that sustain people who do not know God, but His grace. Therefore, do not seek importance as a mediator; instead, attribute everything to God, who provides for everyone even before they ask.
Jesus wants to transform the tasteless water in us into flavorful wine that brings joy to others. Before expecting reciprocal actions from others, let us respond to God, who seeks to change us to change the world. Jesus instituted the Last Supper for His disciples, not for everyone. God reveals the secrets of His Kingdom to us, not to keep them hidden, but to make them known through our lives that bear witness to His ways.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”- Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
Before the second coming of Jesus, God expects us to live according to His standards so that all people may come to Him. Miracles may not lead people to God, but it is our lives, filled with His truth, that will truly bring others to Him.
The Jordan Valley 
Reply