The parents answered, "We know you want those responsibilities. But this is not a matter of your desire. You are not capable of caring wisely for such things. There are many responsibilities that you can accept, but those are not among them."

The insulted eight-year-old had no desire to accept the responsibilities of an eight-year-old. In his thinking, he was fully capable. He just did not have "the rights of power" that his parents possessed.

An adult says to God, "I want to determine all right and wrong for me. I want to be in charge of my own forgiveness. I want to decide for me what is weak and strong, wise and foolish, good and bad, and right and wrong. I want to classify what is 'temptation' and what is 'natural.' I want to determine the proper use of my life."

God replies, "I know that you want those things. But it is not a matter of desire. You are incapable of caring wisely for such responsibilities. There are responsibilities that you can accept, responsibilities I want you to accept. But those are not among them."

The insulted adult knew he was capable. He just did not have God's "rights of power."

At its foundation, a mature faith in God and Christ understands two things. (1) It understands some responsibilities are beyond a person's capability and wisdom. (2) It understands that some responsibilities are within a person's capability and wisdom. Maturity exists in faith when a person can distinguish between the two.

A critical problem has plagued us from the beginning: we want to be like God. We are certain that we could. We know that we are capable. God denies us that opportunity only because He controls the power.

One of the worst, most wicked periods in the history of Israel existed because "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).

Will you assume those responsibilities in your life within your capability and wisdom? Will you trust God with those responsibilities outside your capability and wisdom? Will you develop a mature faith? Or, do you want to play God?

The irony: as faith matures, we continually learn how incapable we are of playing God. Mature faith continually increases our awareness of this truth: we do not know or understand nearly as much as we think we do.