Is God Holding Out?
Have you ever felt like God was holding out on you? It could be in a number of areas, such as love and relationships, or the material realm with all its trappings. For some, they feel needy, and unloved. Others, feel shortchanged, and stuck. This can be a real struggle for some. This is one reason we are implored to renew our minds (see Romans 12:2).
Part of the process is challenging our thoughts and beliefs, which includes comparing them to the Word of God. The flesh is greedy, and has a poverty mindset it doesn’t want to relinquish. It would have you avoid reading your Bible, because it contradicts everything it wants you to believe. To be clear, where people find themselves can be the result of what they believe to be true. Our actions tend to correspond with our belief, and actions have consequences.
It may boil down to identity. Meaning, if one is disconnected with his true identity in Jesus Christ, he will also have an incorrect view of God. Truth be told, to know your identity, you need to know God. After all, we’re made in His image. He said so!
Genesis 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. . . So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.
The first one to accuse God of holding out on us was the serpent in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:1-7). The enemy still accuses Him. But, is God really holding out on us? That is an insult to His very nature.
The Cross and Resurrection Reveals His Generosity
Let’s begin with everyone’s go-to verse when talking about the love of God.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
His love compelled Him to give His only begotten Son for us. The verb is the result of the Noun. Since God is Love, His nature is to give. Because He is such an amazing Father, He gives us what we need. At the same time, He may withhold those things that would be detrimental to us, no matter how much we think we need them. On occasion, He may permit us to get what we think we want (which would not be beneficial), and allow us to suffer the consequences. Some of us like to learn the hard way. Think about that, if you’re ever tempted to argue with Him.
The Cross and Resurrection do indeed reveal God’s generosity.
Romans 8:32 He that spared not His Own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
2 Peter 1:3-4 According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
This just scratches the surface. We are so unaware of the many things God gives and does for us. They are innumerable. If you feel you lack love (emphasis on feel), connect with Him. If you feel you lack anything, ask Him for wisdom and insight. Delight in Him first, so that you may obtain the proper desires that align with His. When you align with His will, you will be positioned to receive.
2 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us: And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.
This has been said before, but bears repeating: we are not home yet! When we are home, we will fully know God’s generosity.
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
