January 2   

When the Best Doesn’t Seem Good Enough 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 2: 1-6; Genesis 3:1- 4: 26; Matthew 2:13 – 3:6; Proverbs 1: 7-9 

Today’s Scripture Focus: Genesis 3-4 

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3: 4-5 NIV).   

There is no better place to learn about sin and temptation than the first few chapters of Genesis. Adam and Eve were the first humans to deal with temptation and sin and there is much to learn from their example. We find ourselves vulnerable to temptation in many of the same ways that they did. One of Satan’s best tricks is to get us to question the goodness of God. Questioning his goodness often leads us to question his wisdom, his truthfulness, and his love.   

We begin to think that God is withholding something good from us. At that point, we are so vulnerable to temptation. We know God loves us with an everlasting love. We know that God is all-wise and that it is folly for us to question his wisdom. We know that God is perfect in truth and cannot tell a lie. Yet, when Satan creeps in with suggestions that God is withholding something good from us, our thinking is affected and our mind is taken captive by warped thought patterns. We often become blinded to the truth. This was the path of Adam and Eve and it is a path that we all know too well. 

When tempted to sin, it is helpful to remember that God is perfect in goodness, in love, in wisdom, and truth. His will is always best–and any suggestion that he is withholding something wonderful from us is deception. God’s will cannot contradict his character–and therefore it is always good, wise, and loving.  To doubt his goodness only leads us to miss out on his good and perfect will. The dangling fruit of temptation looks good, but it always has consequences. It is never wise to second guess the goodness of God.

Dear Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of your goodness, your wisdom, your truthfulness, and your love. Teach me to never second guess your goodness; teach me to never doubt your love. Teach me to follow your good paths all the days of my life. In Jesus Name, Amen.