Have you ever been in a place where you feel like God is being unfair or withholding something good from you?
In the Genesis 2:16-17 God told Adam and Eve: “You shall eat of every tree in the garden but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat.” Then, in chapter 3 the serpent lies to Eve saying: “Has God surely said that you shall not eat of every tree in the garden?” The devil causes Eve to focus on what God had prohibited and ignore all God had given. The devil causes her to doubt her good and loving Father and to believe God was unfair and holding back something good from her.
Like Eve, how frequently does the enemy’s voice cause me to doubt God’s voice?
The doubt sounds like this: “Jesus told me that He is all I need but I feel like I am in need. I know Jesus loves me, but I don’t feel it. He’s told me He’s my Husband, but I feel lonely. He’s told me He’s my provider but I want (fill in the blank).”
Have you ever felt like that? I have. And if you haven’t I’m sure you’ve heard people say those things. The doubt has taught me that everyday I must choose: to listen and trust God’s word—which is unchanging and faithful, or listen to my feelings—which waver and are unreliable.
This is what God’s word says: the Lord is my Shepherd I shall NOT want (Ps. 23:1). Good and upright is the Lord…all the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth (Ps. 25:8-10). Every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17). Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness (Ps. 37:3). Cast your burden on the Lord and He shall sustain you (Ps. 55:22). No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11).
So I ask myself: am I trusting His voice? Even when He has said “You shall not,” am I resting knowing that His purpose is greater and His plan is FAR better? Choose to dwell on His word and walk in truth today.
Rest and know that Jesus is who He says He is, He is the Good Shepherd. He is good.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
look full in His wonderful face;
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
in the light of His glory and grace.”