Second Guessing

The definition of ‘second-guessing’ is given as ‘to anticipate or predict someone’s actions or thoughts by guesswork’

It seems to me that a popular pastime in the UK, and I expect elsewhere, is one which, in my opinion, occupies far too much airtime, screentime, pages of newsprint, discussion and conjecture. That is trying to second guess every pronouncement or action a politician, or prominent spokesperson is expected to make.

It would seem that anyone with the authority and responsibility of making a decision or a statement which will influence others in society, whether in politics or any other sphere of public life, are regularly subjected to being second-guessed. A great amount of time is taken in analysing what such a person may or may not say, or may or may not do, and the possible implications and consequences of either. In lots of cases I expect this critique is carried out by many who are not party to the full facts of the matter in question, and certainly can’t in all reality know exactly how the other person thinks or will handle the matter at that time.

Problems can arise however when this practice is focussed on God. Through the years, I have learnt the truth and the validity of the words we read in Isaiah, where God says, ‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine’ (Isaiah 55:8). Here is the lesson. It is not possible to second-guess God.

As we develop a closer relationship with Jesus, and have a deeper appreciation of the nature, character, and heart of God, through His word, it’s true that we begin to learn that all His actions, plans, and purposes are motivated by His love for us. Although we cannot always understand the ways He chooses to implement His actions, we have to hold firmly to His words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, ‘I know the plans I have for you, they are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope’ (Jeremiah 29:11).

However, there can be specific times when God does reveal His plans and purposes directly into our hearts by His Spirit. The apostle Paul mentions this: ‘When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths from God’s Spirit’ (1 Corinthians 2:13). Nevertheless, we must always weigh these inner thoughts extremely carefully, and check them against Scripture. We should seek the advice of other trusted, mature Christians, and, if necessary, ask God to confirm His word in some way. Gideon did this in Judges 6:33-40.

There are examples in the Bible of people who try to second-guess God. On one occasion God had miraculously provided water when He instructed Moses to hit the rock with his staff, Moses was later confronted with a similar situation, and he assumed God would act in the same way. He hit the rock, but this time God had told Moses only to speak to the rock. As a result of this presumption on Moses’ part, he was denied the privilege of entering Canaan.

When the army commander Naaman came to Elisha for healing of his leprosy, he had pre-conceived ideas of how he should be treated, and where and how his healing would take place. He second-guessed the whole scenario and was completely wrong. But when he submitted to doing it God’s way, he was completely healed (2 Kings 5:1-19).

The cry of Hosea’s heart, which I believe should be ours today, is, ‘Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him’ (Hosea 6:3a). As we grow to know the Lord more intimately and have a deeper understanding and appreciation of His heart and mind for us, and the world around us, we will not be drawn into trying to second-guess Him. We shall not need to! Then perhaps we will be able to say with Paul, ‘Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him? But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ’ (1 Corinthians 2:16).