Doubting the Lord's goodness!
“So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (NLT) Hebrews 13:6
I was listening to the song by Laura Story entitled “Blessings” and I caught this phrase: “doubting the Lord’s goodness”. It reminded me of how I needed to write an article to express God’s awesomeness. We have all been in situations that made us doubt the power of God or entertain the thoughts that a breakthrough is virtually impossible. In today’s devotional, I want to share a testimony to remind you that God is in control, just trust in Him.
At a point in my life, I was in this situation of doubting God’s goodness. Clearly, I didn’t rule out that God can do it. I believed that He is in control and will make all work in His own time. But what I didn’t do was to stop worrying. Worrying created a fear that lingered in my heart. So, whether I trusted Him at all, it made no difference. I realised I was not better off than the one that emphatically doubted God’s ability to work in his or her life.
What did I do? I knew that I didn’t want this fear to consume me. So, I went to God in my desperation (1 Peter 5:7). I talked to him as would a daughter to his father. I shared my fears with believers, who encouraged me with God’s word (1 Thessalonians 5:11). But did God answer? Did He speak to me?
Beloved, there was no indication from God. So, I continued to wait like the psalmist in Psalm 62:1-2: “I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken”. But, to my surprise issues got tougher, confusion set in, more challenges were thrown at me, had to make some difficult decisions, found myself weeping before him every night in bed or quietly when I was alone.
In the wait, I carefully took the opportunities that came my way, the difficult as well as the light ones and in my tears, I found a different level of trust. I began to deeply appreciate how far the Lord has brought me, the special favours He bestowed on me among many others. Beloved, I felt at peace and my fears for some reason were lost. I saw God for who He is. He is the one that answers by Fire (1 Kings 18:23-29), He whose plans are better than mine (Jeremiah 29:11). Yes, God granted my heart desire in His own time and put a new song on my lips. I believe that was the lesson I was to learn to increase my faith (Hebrews 11:1).
Beloved, difficult times will surely come and they may cause you to doubt God’s goodness in your life. Rather than letting them weigh you down, go to God and confess to Him. Trust in Him and let the doubts know that your God is awesome in all situations. It is His goodness that has brought you this far and it is this same goodness that will surely take you where you hope to be here on earth and in the life to come (heaven).