I cannot remember a time in which I did not believe in God. My difficulty seems to lie with believing God, believing and trusting His Word to be active in my life. I can surely believe it for everyone around me, but struggle with believing God for me, well …..
At times I can probably be a little more like Eve. Remember her from the Garden?
Eve believe in God. She acknowledged His Presence in the garden for both she and Adam walked with God. And when the serpent came slithering to her side to talk to her, she remembered God’s instructions about what they were permitted to eat.
Believing in God was not the difficulty at all.
The problem occurred when the serpent delivered his blow by causing her to doubt God’s motives towards her ….
“Did God really say ….?”
To “believe” God means we are trusting fully in His motives towards us.
The serpent wanted Eve to believe God was holding out on her. And he would have us to think the same way. At those times, when we begin to waver in believing God, may we remind ourselves:
- “For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. (Ps. 84:11)
- “For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” (Psalm 100:5, NLT)
- “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28, NLT)
God withholds no good thing from us. And that includes me and you!
His love never fails. Not ever. Not even now.
He is faithful to every generation. And that includes this generation.
God works all things for the good. Even that which now seems painful.
The next time we hear the question, “Did God really say….?” may we respond with a loud, “Yes! He really did!!!” and send the enemy packing.
Believe.
May we trust His motives toward us.
Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and Titus 2 Tuesday and True Story and Teaching What Is Good and Titus 2sday and So Much At Home .
This reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures from Luke: “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promise to her.” (1:45) I also struggle sometimes in taking God AT HIS WORD. Blessings to you. Let’s grow in believing!
So true, Betsy. I want to live blessed because I believed His promise to me!
Amen Joanne. It’s so easy to act like the spoiled child who isn’t getting her way. Something I’ve learned and try to keep in mind . . . a trusting life experiences far more peace than the tantrum life. Blessings!
Deb, I want to take Him at His Word, no doubt just full out believe. Grateful you shared!
Thank you, Jo. I get those thoughts of doubt. I have to remember it is the enemy trying to play the same games. The answer is always YES, My God is faithful and I can trust and rely on Him no matter what the circumstances. My job is to stay in the Word and stand firm in the battle gear He has given me. I am doing the Kay Arthur study, “LORD, Is It Warfare? Teach Me to Stand.”
Mare, that sounds like a great study although all of hers are! It is so true – we must be taught to stand. May the end of 2015 find us well taught & standing firm! Love you!
Our enemy loves to whisper and push our buttons, but as we stand on God’s Word we can send him packing (as you say.) Thank you for sharing your awesome post with us here at “Tell Me a Story.â€
May we take our stance in the power of His Word. Hazel, always a joy to join you! Blessings!
Jo: The following words were printed on the back of the Pastor’s sermon notes this past Sunday – and after you and I recently shared our thoughts on “believing”, I thought I’d post the words of this prayer. (As I say so very often, there are no coincidences in God’s economy.)
A Prayer by Richard Foster (Searching for Faith)
“God, today I resonate with the desperate cry in the Gospel: “I believe, help my unbelief.” Sometimes I think I operate my life out of more doubt than faith. And yet, I want to believe…..I do believe.
“I’m a complex creature. At times I can believe with my head, while my body is still locked into patterns of skepticism and doubt. Faith is not yet my muscles, my bones, my glands.
“Increase faith within me, O Lord. I’m sure that for faith to grow, You will put me in situations where I’ll need resources beyond myself. I submit to this process.
“……..Throughout, I am trusting You to take me from faith to faith – from the faith I do not have, to the faith that I am in the process of receiving.
“Thank You for hearing my prayer. Amen”
Angela, I love this prayer from Richard Foster. I also love his books! May we realize it is He who increases faith within us as we rely on Him. I am so grateful He takes us from faith to faith. Thank you so much for sharing this prayer, which I may also share in a future post on a Sunday. It is wonderful! Love you! X0