Trust and Obey: God Withholds No Good Thing
We hear that “God withholds no good thing?”, but what does that really mean? And can we trust that this is true about God’s character? This story about my toddler and her toy reveals so much to our adult selves as we mature and grow as children of God.
“Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”
When my little one was three, I found her in the garage crying. She discovered our giveaway pile and wanted to play with one of her toys that she found buried in the mix. Daddy was trying to keep it all consolidated, but when our little one misinterpreted his intentions, she flipped out crying and couldn’t be reasoned with.
How often do we misinterpret God’s intentions and cannot be reasoned with?
trust me and obey
I picked up the toy and said, “Come with me.”
She thought I picked up the toy to take it away from her, and cried harder.
Again, I said, “Follow me. Trust me. Trust me and obey.”
To which she melted down on the cold garage floor, a puddle of tears. She believed me to be withholding.
As I walked in the threshold of our house, she finally chased inside after me, in hopes that maybe I was bringing the toy inside to play with instead of confiscate.
the heart behind “follow me”
My “follow me” was not to withhold from my child.
“Follow me” was to lead her to an even better location (a warm and safe home with carpeted floor to play on).
Asking my child to “follow me” wasn’t to cause her any harm or suffering, but to bring her into a safe open space. I knew it would be worth it for her.
She smiled, stood up straighter, held my hand, and thanked me. I said, “Do you trust I have good things for you?” I asked her to repeat after me:
“Good things happen when I obey God. I can trust Him.”
obedience and good things
Even though you and I are not three years old today, maybe you and I need to repeat that out loud today too?
“Good things happen when I obey God. I can trust Him.”
This is the age-old trap of the enemy. He wants us to believe the lie that God is withholding good things from us. That’s what happened in the garden with Eve too. But if God puts anything off limits to us, it’s to protect us.
And if God leads us (even if the path feels unknown and downright scary, as most faith-walks feel), we can trust that He’s leading us to good things. Even when we don’t see it yet or have any idea of what good things might be waiting for us.
holding God’s hand
Some people call this blind faith. Sure, we might feel blind to the path ahead, but it’s really not a blind faith. If we’re focused on holding on to our Father’s hand and gazing full into His gracious, gentle, loving face, then we know exactly where we are going… anywhere with Him! And the more we press into that truth, the more the unknown road ahead feels less and less concerning.
your turn
Have you felt like God is withholding something from you lately?
A provision? A healing? An injustice? A relationship?
Does your longing for this cause you to distrust God’s heart for you? Does it send you into a crying fit on the floor like a toddler?
Me too. I have my own list.
This is your invitation to bring that to God today. And be honest with Him.
a prayer to increase trust
Your prayer might sound something like this:
“God, forgive me for not trusting that your plans and timing for me are good. I’ve been praying for and longing for ________ to come to pass for so long. As I continue to trust and wait and obey, please help me continue to trust that your heart for me is good. As you lead me into the unknown on this faith walk, help me hold on to your guiding hand and trust and obey with the faith of a child. Help me trust your guiding hand more than my desire to know where we are going.”
At the end of the day, we can trust that God knows how to give good gifts to His children… That He doesn’t just know how but that He actually does so!
We can trust that even when the enemy seems to get the upper hand, God can redeem any evil plotted against you and flip the script so it works out for your good.
We can trust that His plans for you are good even if things have felt so miserable for so long. Just because things have gone wrong in the past doesn’t mean they always will.
So let’s develop our sense of wonder (as Graham Cooke puts it), that God is up to good things. Instead of letting fear of the unknown be our guide, let’s trust that if God is leading us, then where He’s taking us is going to be good and worth it.
God withholds no good thing
The Lord does not withhold any good thing from those He loves:
For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!
Til next time… Toodle-loo, and Peace be with you.
If you want to trust God like that and begin a faith-walk in the full power of the Holy Spirit, here’s a prayer to ask Jesus to wash you clean and lead you in a new life.
If you decided to give your life to Jesus today, please let us know so we can share in your new joy! And seek out someone in your area who loves Jesus and walks in humility who can help show you the way.
I’m no counselor, but I am a good listening ear and always enjoy a good conversation! So if you have any questions or thoughts, drop in comments below. That’s what I’m here for!
