God Says What He Means and Means What He Says
Did God say? God said. (Genesis 3:1, 3)
Gen. 3:1, 3; Rev. 12:7-9; II Cor. 4:3-4; Matt. 13:19; Eph. 6:11
What Is God Saying?
The Bible describes Satan as the Great Deceiver from beginning to end. The opening verses mention his subtle tactics. In the final chapters, he is called ‘that ancient serpent, the deceiver of the whole world’ (Rev. 12:11 ).
He never sows doubt as to the existence of God. Instead, he encourages our first parents in the Garden to doubt that God means what He says, ‘He can't be so mean as to mean that! What a cruel trick He is playing on you! Why should he do such a thing? It doesn't make sense. He has given you all this. Certainly, it is unreasonable for Him to demand obedience concerning one tree in the Garden. Go ahead. It won't kill you.’
How Does This Apply To Us?
God knows what we need for true life. ‘There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death’ (Prov. 14:12). When there is a choice (and we are free to choose) between a way that seems all right to us but which God says is all wrong, let us not allow Satan to deceive us into thinking that God doesn't mean it, which has little to do with doubting God's existence or His right to rule. It has everything to do with, ‘How can God be so unkind as to deprive me of anything when He has given me everything?’ When the great Deceiver whispers in our ear, ‘Did God say that?’ We should answer, ‘Yes, He said that. I will take His word for it. He means it, and He means it for my good.’ Let us pray for what God wants. Let us pray for it until we want it as well.
Pray With Me
O God, Your Word never fails in truth, righteousness, blessing, and goodness. Help me overcome the doubt that our adversary casts like a shadow across our path. He would sink that question into my heart as a wedge to break my fellowship with You, ‘Did God say?’ He would destroy my trust and obedience, prerequisites to Your fullest blessing.
He would not try to make me doubt that You are. The evidence of Your being is too convincing to deny. He would try, instead, to make me believe that the God of power cannot be a God of love. He would have me believe that if You mean what You say, You are being mean in what You say. He would suggest that this cannot be God speaking, ‘God loves you too much to be so severe. It is unreasonable to act with blind obedience in such an inconsequential matter. Did God say that?’
I will answer with confidence and faith: ‘God has said!’ This is all the light I need to live this day. This is all the light I ask for. But I do need it, and I do ask for it.
In the name and for the glory of Your living and perfect Word, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Moving On In The Life Of Prayer
The thesis of our book is: first, listening, then praying. Regardless of our first reaction or temptation to think otherwise, God means for our ultimate good and the blessing we can be to others. Let us believe that God means what He says in His Word.
