The Goodness of God

"The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made.  One day he asked the woman, 'Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?'  

'Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,' the woman replied.  'It's only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat.  God said, You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.'

'You won't die!' the serpent replied to the woman.  'God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.'

The woman was convinced...."   Genesis 3:1-6

It is a trick of the enemy that is as old as time.  He first used it on Eve in the garden, and men still fall for it today.  In the garden, the serpent convinced Eve that God was holding out on her.  "God knows if you eat of the tree you will be like Him," Satan whispered in her ear.  He tricked Eve into doubting the goodness of God.   But before we judge Eve too harshly, we must take a look at ourselves and the many times we fall into the same trap.  When times are tough, when things don't work out as we had hoped, the enemy comes and whispers in our ear convincing us just like he did Eve in the garden that God is holding out on us.

It is in those times of trial and testing that we must stand on the Word of God. Psalm 84:11 states that the Lord is our sun and our shield.  Just as the warm sun's rays shine down on us, there are times when God's blessings seem to rain down.  But God is also our shield, and even when we don't recognize it, He often protects us from the things that are not good for us.  We believe Satan's lie that God is holding back on us, when in reality, God is shielding us from the very things that could destroy us.

Psalm 84:11 continues, "...no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."  If you are in a right relationship with God, following His commands, abiding in Him and hearing His voice, you can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is working all things out for your good and His glory.  Just as an earthly father knows how to give good gifts to his son, how much more our Heavenly Father longs to give us every good gift!  The gift may be patience, endurance, or long-suffering, but it is the gift the Heavenly Father knows is best for us, not necessarily the gift we think we need.  Choose today to close your ears to the lies of the enemy.  Choose today to stand upon God's Word and trust that your Heavenly Father is good and all the plans He has for you are good.

Dear Heavenly Father, 
Thank You that You always have my best interests at heart, that You are always watching out for me, and that you give me exactly what I need when I need it.  I pray that I would never doubt Your goodness.  It is Who You are.  You cannot help but be good.  May I never be convinced otherwise.  
In the Mighty Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.