Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, Iraqi-born Australian fiery preacher told this true-life story that sets the context of today’s admonition:

“Arnold Palmer was one of the greatest golfers the world had ever seen. One day, he was invited by the King of Saudi Arabia because there was a new golf course that was being opened in the middle of the desert in Saudi Arabia. So, the king decided to invite all the celebrities and all the best top golfers in the world, there were about 100 of them. They went to Saudi Arabia (it’s a true story).

After the opening ceremony, they all played and had their game, and they had a dinner with the king. So, while they were eating and sitting, the king was going around and greeting all the golf players being his guests. He came to Arnold Palmer, and as he greeted Arnold, then suddenly out of nowhere, the king asked Arnold, he said, what can I do for you? (Arnold, now was telling the story). He said, he put me on the spot. I was not expecting a question from the king and such a question, what can I do for you? He said, I really panicked, and I thought for a few short seconds, I can’t ask the king, it’s too embarrassing. So he said, I had to say something, it’s the king asking! I said, Okay, King, how about a club? The king said, Okay, no problem. He said, I went back to America. A week went by, two weeks I’m checking the mailbox, there’s nothing. Three weeks, I said to myself, this is the king of Saudi Arabia, do you think he’s got the time to think about you? He probably said it at that dinner time and he forgot about it. He’s too busy. Who cares?

Anyway, I gave up. Weeks went by, one day I went to the mailbox to check and I saw a big envelope, I pulled it out, big red writing, “confidential.” I look at the address—the King of Saudi Arabia—on it. I ran into the house not waiting to open this envelope. I opened it, and to my shocking surprise, I see a title deed to a 500-acre golf club.”

You see, if you’re not aware and familiar with the golf game, the word “club” applies to the stick that you play with, and the word “club” can also apply to the entire land you play on; that is also called a club. When Arnold said to the king, I want a club he meant a stick, but the king being the king interpreted it as a whole land for playing the game!

You see, what Arnold is capable of is a stick, but the king is capable of a club of 500 acres. The mind of the King is totally different to the mind of a normal piece of dust like me. If an earthly king translated the word “club” into a 500-acre land, how much more the King of all kings. When you ask of Him, you may say, I want this, but the Lord will give you according to His capacity and capability. And what is His capacity? Infinite! Don’t embarrass yourself and ask Him for something so tiny and be stubborn about that tiny thing. When you ask, let the King, give you His way, not your way.”

Wow! Wow! What an illustration of Isaiah 55:8-9,13! He is God, the Almighty God, who cannot be limited by our mind

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith 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… Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Isaiah 55:8-9,13

Stop putting the Almighty in a bottle! David understood this when he penned Psalm 16:5-8 (TPT)

Yahweh, you alone are my inheritance. You are my prize, my pleasure, and my portion. You hold my destiny and its timing in your hands. Your pleasant path leads me to pleasant places. I’m overwhelmed by the privileges that come with following you! The way you counsel me makes me praise you more, for your whispers in the night give me wisdom, showing me what to do next. Because I set you, Yahweh, always close to me, my confidence will never be weakened, for I experience your wraparound presence every moment. Psalm 16:5-8 (TPT)

O that you cease from all your struggles and trust His judgment and wisdom! Then will you have truly entered His rest!!!

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. Hebrews 4:1-4

Selah.

Pastor Afolabi Oladele