Devotionals for the Heart: Obeying God When It Doesn't Make Sense

When What God is Asking of You Doesn’t Make Sense
A devotional by Jessica B. Turner

“However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” –Matthew 17:27 (ESV)

If you are like me, you have likely read this scripture without much thought because of what precedes it. Starting in Matthew 17:24, you can find one of the many examples of authority figures trying to trap Jesus with their questions concerning the law. This time it was involving a two drachma tax, a form of Greek currency. But it’s not the units of money that I want you to focus in on today.

It's what Jesus tells Simon Peter to do in response to the tax that I want us to explore.

Could you imagine being in Simon Peter’s shoes in this moment? Jesus is telling you to go fishing as a means of providing provision, but not from selling the caught fish, but instead by simply opening its mouth! Do you realize how bizarre this command really is?

I can’t help but think that Simon Peter walked away wondering how this plan would work. What are the odds of a fish swimming around with a coin in its mouth, much less a coin worth exactly what they need to pay for both of their taxes? Or better yet, that this coin would be found in the very first fish caught?

It’s just such an odd way to solve a problem, isn’t it? An impossible way. But this is a reminder that nothing is impossible when the orders are coming from God Himself!

How often do you find yourself in a situation where you know God is leading you to a solution, but you just can’t make sense of how it will work out in your favor? The odds appear to be stacked against you. Everyone around you is telling you to go a different route, a safer, more predictable route. Yet, you know in your heart that isn’t what God is asking of you. You want to be obedient, but you seem paralyzed by all the pieces that don’t seem to make sense.

This is where the faith of a mustard seed, referred to in Matthew 17:20, comes into play. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to lean on Him when all logic seems to disappear. When things cannot be explained in any other way than “But God!”

These are the moments where we are given an opportunity to truly see God at work! But He needs us to be willing to do more than just listen; He needs us to act alongside Him.

Simon Peter would have never experienced God’s provision that day if he would have let logic steer his decisions. He would have missed out on a miracle.

What is God commanding you to do in this season of your life? What are you missing out on because you are afraid to take the first step?

I pray this message gives you the courage to stop over-thinking it all and simply put your trust in a God whose thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours. I can’t wait to see what He is going to do through your obedience!

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, it brings you such joy when I come to you for wisdom instead of looking to the world for answers. Yet sometimes it can be hard to muster up the courage to act on what you are asking of me. Lord, please give me the faith to take that first step in obedience. Strengthen my confidence in your ability to show up against all odds in my favor. Open my eyes to how you are working in and through my life and allow me to be a vessel of praise and glory towards Your holy name as a walk in Your will. I love you and I trust you. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

Jessica B. Turner is a wife, mom, and LSU graduate with a degree in veterinary medicine. 

After practicing small animal medicine for six years, she traded in her stethoscope to become an online wellness coach, motivational speaker, and writer with a passion for mental health advocacy. This major life change was sparked after Jessica struggled with postpartum depression soon after she birthed her twin girls.

Along with Jessica’s career change came the discovery of who Jesus Christ really is and how He was the missing piece for her to be able to move forward from past trauma that she had suppressed for decades.

Jesus walked alongside Jessica as she underwent a transformation like none other. God transformed Jessica’s life from a broken mom who struggled with depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and PTSD from witnessing an attempted suicide, to using her experiences to make her a powerful vessel for Him. To this day, God enables Jessica to touch the lives of others through her often unfiltered, yet inviting, form of storytelling.

Throughout this process of refinement, Jessica has shared her life story with the world through her social media platforms, in-person events, blog posts, and podcasts. She values the gift of transparency and has discovered that what so many people need to know is that they are not alone. Jessica has walked in their shoes, and she wants the world to know that Jesus is walking with them as well.

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Connect with Jessica:
Website: www.jessicabturner.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicabturner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicabturner/