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.” (Genesis 3:1-5 NLT)
Since the creation of the world, Satan has placed doubt in the minds of men and women as to whether or not God is truly for them. He has placed seeds of doubt as to whether God truly cares for them and wants what’s best for them. When we find ourselves thinking or asking whether God is for us or against us, we can be sure that the source of that thought, that the author of that question is Satan himself. But here’s the thing about Satan: he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). His desire is to cause us to lose faith, to doubt God’s love for us, by making us think that God is not for us but against us. When things become difficult and anxiety creeps into our lives, that’s when this enemy of our souls will pounce. But, as the apostle Peter wrote, we must remember to cast all of our anxiety on God. Why? Because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
Scripture is quite clear that not only is God for us, but He cares for us and truly wants what is best for us. His plan for us is always to prosper us and never harm us (Jeremiah 29:11). He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28). When we cast our burdens on Him, He will sustain us (Psalm 55:22). The God who cares about the birds of the air and the grass of the field cares even more for us (Matthew 6:26, 30). We can be sure that if we commit our lives to God, when we trust in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:3-5). God Himself has told us that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
And so, we can be sure that, no matter what the enemy may try to make us believe, God truly cares for us and is for us. And if God is for us, then no one can stand against us (Romans 8:31). Not even the father of lies.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
A Worshiper's Journal 