Good and Bad, Correctly Said

"The Lord gives good things."

GOD IS NEVER going to use “the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away” to explain ANYTHING (Job 1:21). My dog has five legs. Now, it’s true I said that. But it’s not a true statement. Job said those words, but those words are not who God is. In the same statement, he also said, “Blessed be the name of the Lord,” which shows his integrity, and that’s what God adored.

Kenneth Copeland in his book on honor said his dad was a man of great integrity. He was truly one who would “swear to his own hurt.” I have done this, knowing the physical result would be uncomfortable for me. But my heart would be clear, and that is what I value. The Lord (who is the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit) asks no one to throw themselves into the fire, so to speak. In fact, every time I hear a song that speaks of that, I say, “No, don’t wish for that.” Believe for many, well days. For goodness and mercy to follow you all the days of your life. But don’t compromise godliness either.

“I pray over you a release of the blessings of God’s undeserved kindness and total well-being that flows from our Father - God and from the Lord Jesus.” (Galatians 1:3 TPT)

“May God himself, the heavenly Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, release grace over you and impart total well-being into your lives.” (Ephesians 1:2 TPT)

This goes to finances, commitments, promises made, and such like. But how this came up in me was in hearing someone’s “word for the year.” I am not questioning if they heard the Spirit speak or not, but their conclusion was without the Spirit. Quoting the Word is not enough. You heard me. You can quote it correctly and misapply it, quote it in ignorance of the fullness of its truth, misquote it, or simply quote it out of turn. It is true God said that, but is it what He’s saying right now? God is holy. He is righteous. He speaks only truth and is infinitely wise. He will never give you any “word” and not explain it. Never. Even if you think you know what it means, ask Him first before declaring it and make sure He wants you to say it to anyone. Maybe it’s just for you. I have many words I keep to myself. I have heard Prophet Hank Kunneman make this statement as well.

Minister Jesse Duplantis always seeks the Father for a theme for each year. This is particular to him and God honors it. But he never reuses what God has said in years that follow. What was for 2023 is for 2023, and so on. What Job declared was said in the midst of great loss and facing those who didn’t support him. God understands what we say. All of it. He’s never confused by your statements, never worried or fearful. This brings me great comfort (Psalm 139:4). He knows all I’ve done, all I’ve said, and He loves me. A tender, gentle Father. I have no condemnation for my past or for what I do not yet know.

I like to rephrase Job’s words. The Lord gives good things. He takes away bad things. This helps redirect my thinking onto God’s true character. It is because when I was in the fire, I leaned entirely on Him that I know Him so well now. And yet I never assume I have everything because He is so infinite. Just think of the stars. He said, “Light be,” and the galaxies continue to form and expand to this day. His life is neverending. There’s so much of it. And it’s unadulterated. I said this recently, but the devil has no interest in your healing or your success. He doesn’t enable anyone to lay hands on the sick. He doesn’t give anyone wisdom to make great financial gain. He will use it for his own purposes which are ultimately, to take it all away and create confusion and conflict. In opposite, God does not use evil to teach you. Jesus’ brother James makes this clear. God cannot be tempted by evil. So anything that steals, kills, and destroys is from the devil. Anything that exalts selfishness is the devil. We must know the difference, and unless we do, we will continue to say things that are not who He is, and we will continue to misspeak.

I cannot afford to speak what He isn’t saying right now. I cannot afford to speak incorrect biblical truth. I have nothing to gain but more of Him, and truly, that is what I value. Closeness. To be where He is twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Not just when I’m praying, for fifteen minutes a day when I find time for Him, but that He is all and everything and I KNOW HIM. That I hear the Father and know it’s the Father. I hear the Spirit and know He is speaking. That I know Jesus.

“Thou hast poured oil upon my head, my cup is brimming over; yes, and all through my life Goodness and Kindness wait on me, the Eternal’s guest within his household evermore.” (Psalm 23:5-6, Moffatt)

“O God, what mysteries I find in thee! How vast the number of thy purposes! I try to count them?—they are more than the sand; I wake from my reverie, and I am still lost in thee.” (Psalm 139:17-18, Moffatt)

Image by Marisi26 from Pixabay


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com