The temple police were arresting Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. Peter drew his sword to defend him. He “struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus” (John 18:10).
Concerning this incident Luke recorded a detail easy to overlook. When the apostles witnessed the treacherous Judas kiss and “saw what would follow, they said, ‘Lord, shall we strike with the sword?’ and one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him” (Luke 22:49-51). Peter acted before Jesus even had time to answer the disciples’ question. For him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” was a mere formality. He had already decided to defend Jesus with violence.
How often do we make the same mistake? When we pray for guidance before making an important decision or attempting to resolve a sticky conflict, do we wait for God’s answer? Do we remember that discerning the Lord’s will requires time and patience? Or do we plan a course of action and plunge ahead, asking for God’s guidance with our lips but actually assuming his approval?
“If any of you lacks wisdom,” says James, “let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting” (Jas. 1:5-6). God will never disappoint the person who seeks his wisdom in faith, but the search for divine wisdom is more Crockpot than microwave. People who demand immediate answers ultimately follow their own will.