January 24, 2026 Devo

“It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.” Have you ever heard that old cliché? I’ll bet you have. I’ll go so far as to guess that many of us have operated that way from time to time. We don’t ask our boss what to do because we’re afraid he’s going to make it harder on us, not easier. We don’t ask our spouse for their approval because we know they’re not going to want us to spend that money or to be gone from home. We don’t ask our parents for permission, or we withhold pieces of information because we know they’ll tell us, “No,” or at least give us a lecture we don’t want to hear. So we simply avoid the conversation, leave out certain details, or just go ahead and do what we want. Then later, we have to deal with the consequences, which are usually not pleasant. That’s when we discover “easier” doesn’t mean “better.”
Do you ever play this same game with God? We avoid praying about something because we’re afraid God will tell us not to do it. Or we say something silly, such as, “If God doesn’t want me to do it, He’ll stop me.” That way, we can blame HIM if things go bad. Or sometimes we ask other people what they think until we find someone who agrees with what we know we’re going to do anyway. That way, we can SHARE the blame and claim we did our due diligence. But at the heart of it all, we’re simply deciding to do what WE want instead of seeking what GOD wants. It’s “OUR kingdom come, OUR will be done.” Then we wonder why God doesn’t intervene when everything goes south. Our “easier” can quickly make a mess of our lives.
King Ahaz is playing his own game with God. Isaiah comes to the king and tells him to ask God for a sign. When Ahaz claims that he doesn’t want to “test” the Lord, it sounds like a noble response. But it’s not. He’s simply covering up his already determined plans. He doesn’t want Isaiah’s help. He doesn’t want God’s help. He wants to lead, rule, and live the way he wants to without any divine involvement. His courteous response was just a way of blowing God off and trying to sound spiritual in doing it. But God knows his heart. The Almighty isn’t fooled by a cunning mind or a flattering tongue. Ahaz and his people would suffer for it. His “easier” had dire consequences.
When it comes to God, it’s better to ask permission than forgiveness. Why? God’s way is better. God’s way takes in the bigger picture. God’s way teaches us that He plans for us, purposes for us, and has a path for us to follow. God’s way spares us the destructive consequences of living a self-led, self-seeking life. God’s way is the way He can help and bless. God’s not looking for puppets He can control. He is looking for people He can guide. Whether we’re a king or a commoner, we’re all children who need to be led. It’s better to ask for permission than for forgiveness. Just ask any of us who have made the mistake of thinking we could fool God. That’s God’s Word for you today.