Did God Really Say?

Remember the story? The serpent sees Eve in the garden and says to her, “Did God really say?”

From the beginning of time, the enemy of everything good and holy encourages us to question the words of our Creator.

Did God really say He loves me? And does He mean it?

Did He really say I don’t have to be afraid? Why not? Will He help me in fearful times?

Can I trust His words when He said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)?

Quiet Time

This morning in my quiet time, I read day fourteen in Charles Martin’s book, It Is Finished. If you haven’t read it, you may want to get a copy. Prepare to be challenged in heart.

In this chapter of the book, Martin encourages the reader to be honest with himself or herself and list his or her top three fears.

My heart wanted to say I didn’t have one fear, much less three. After all, Mom and Dad worked hard to teach us children not to be afraid. Didn’t I learn well from them? Aren’t I a non-fearful person?

On top of that, isn’t fear a sin? If I’m afraid of something, doesn’t that mean I don’t trust my Father?

Sadly, taking a deeper look within, I quickly came up with more than three fears. I had to accept that I, too, doubted my Father’s word.

Fears

Mom and Dad are no longer here. They who taught me not to fear are gone. And the years have proven to me life can throw a mean curve ball. The dark night and stormy weather aren’t the only things on this earth that cause fear. Dare I trust God with each and every thing that frightens me?

Not wanting to put the thoughts into words, I did. My top three fears sprung to mind faster than I dared to accept them.

Even though my God is good and in control of all things, He might allow something into my life that is harder than I want. Something that causes me pain. It’s happened. It could happen again.

Do I believe God when He says He loves me? Has He really said all things work together for good to those who love Him? Even the things that hurt?

I’m afraid I’ll make wrong decisions. That I won’t hear God speak to me. Or I’ll ignore Him when He does. And worse, maybe He won’t even speak at all.

Has God really said, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6)? Or, “Ask and it shall be given to you” (Matthew 7:7, KJV)?

And sadly I realized I’m afraid, even though my Father is the One Who calls me to walk with Him in some venture, He won’t come through for me in the middle of it. He might leave me on my own to try to do what I know I can’t do without Him. Evidently this is so, or I wouldn’t get nervous and anxious trying to do what He’s given me to do.

Has God really said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 )? Or, “faithful is he who calls you who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24, KJV)?

Revelation

What a revelation it was to me to hear my own heart’s fears. And my Father blessed me with a new perspective.

My earthly dad didn’t want me to be afraid, so he stood beside me as we watched lightening streak across the sky. His presence comforted me. He used the time to teach me to enjoy the beauty rather than fear the power of the storm.

If my earthly father would take time to do that for me, how much more does my heavenly Father come beside me and want me to rest in His love? He knows exactly what this world has to offer. He knows what will come each and every day. And He still says, “Fear not.”

Realizing my fears helped me grasp where I’m not trusting my Abba. The One who loves me so much He sent His only Son to rescue me from my sin and from an eternal death in the kingdom of darkness.

Jesus Christ not only paid the price for me I could never pay, but He walks with me each and every day. He is truth and life. And His word is good.

The enemy is a liar who wishes only to steal, kill, and destroy.

Who will I choose to believe?

Did God Really Say?

Did God Really Say? Yes! A thousand times, Yes!

Our God has really said He loves us. And He showed us.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

Our Father has really said we don’t have to be afraid. He loves us and knows how easily we are led to doubt His word, and He doesn’t want us to live in fear.

Countering My Fears

It’s true that our God may allow something in this life I find hurtful. But if He does, He will walk with me in the fire and through the storm. He will teach me about Himself as we walk. And He will bring me to the other side full of joy. It may take getting to the other side of time for the fullness of joy to take place, but it will happen.

God may allow me to make wrong decisions, but when I do (and I have,) He will speak to me in love, draw me to Him in love, and even do something beautiful with the wrong decision. But when I make a wrong decision, I never ever have to fear losing His love for me. And I never have to be afraid He won’t speak to me. I am His forever.

And why should I fear God not being with me or guiding me in the middle of the life He’s given me here? Hasn’t God said, “I’ll never leave you or forsake you?” Hasn’t He told me over and over He is with me to deliver me? To lead me? To comfort me?

Trust is a strange thing. We can fear. Or we can trust. But we can’t do both at the same time.

So let me ask myself the question the enemy asked Eve. Did God really say?

Yes. My God has said. I will choose to trust the One Who loves me. He is trustworthy and Sovereign. I will trust what He has said.

Don’t believe the lies of the enemy. Trust the heart of the One Who loves us now and forever.

Did God really say? Yes, He did!

(Photo: Taken by Carolyn Thigpen, February, 2024; Scripture: New King James Version unless otherwise noted)