Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, "If I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee? Follow thou me. John 21:21-22
Throughout the gospels the Lord Jesus seemed to have a habit of answering people in unconventional and less than straightforward ways (Mt 22:21, John 8:7) and our opening scripture is no exception. The reason being that the Lord does not look at the simplicity of our question to answer but sometimes at the purity of our motives.
In our scripture for the day Peter did not ask Jesus his question out of concern for John but to take comfort in the fact John would also die as he would which was from the onset, a wrong motive.
Sometimes when we ask the Lord questions out of pride or envy or any other wrong motive, we may not receive an answer or the kind of answer we are looking for. In such times let's not be quick to question why God is not answering but rather question the purity of our motives.
LIFE APPLICATION
Whenever seeking an answer from God ask yourself, "Why exactly do I want to know?"
PRAYER
Lord may you continue to purify the thoughts and intents of my heart.