For the past two days, we have looked at how we can be offended by God when He does not meet our expectations or answer our prayers according to our timetable. Of course, that offense then stands between us and God, preventing us from fully experiencing the at.one.ment that is already ours.

I trust that you have repented (as necessary), removed any walls that may have been erected and replaced the ungodly/unbiblical lies with revealed truth.

At the root of all offense against God is a lack of understanding or ignorance about the true nature and character of God.

Job discovered this in a powerful encounter when God shows up in response to all the questions Job raised about his “undeserved” suffering.

Did you note how God provides no pat answers? Instead He asks questions that put Job’s suffering in perspective. You can read them in detail in Chapters 38-41 of the book of Job.

The Reader’s Digest version of God’s lengthy speech is: “Hey Job, you have a very limited understanding of who I am. To put it even more bluntly, you are ignorant.”

Here is part of Job’s response to God’s speech: “Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” (Job 42:3) Job admits that his ignorance was responsible for his outrage against his Creator.

In these words from Isaia 55:8-9, God makes it clear that we cannot fully fathom the way He works: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

When we speak and act out of our limited understanding of God and His ways, then we can allow offense to enter into our spirit.

So, the first step in preventing offense from getting in the way is to acknowledge that “Now we only know in part.” (I Corinthians 13:12) and that Daddy knows all. Daddy knows best.

Especially when we cannot make sense of what is going on at any given moment, when we do not have total clarity, when it goes against everything we may expect of God, could we could simply acknowledge the truth that “In all things God works together for good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose?” (Romans 8:28)

Perhaps we could go one step further as Job did when he made this incredible affirmation of faith:  “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15) Wow!

Either way, dear friend, please be vigilant to ensure that ignorance does not lead to offense and keep you from experiencing at.one.ment with God.