SEARCHLIGHT
Is God ever wrong when making decisions or taking action? Can He fail or slip up?
SCRIPTURE
THE LORD WITHIN HER IS RIGHTEOUS. HE DOES NO WRONG. MORNING BY MORNING HE DISPENSES HIS JUSTICE, AND EVERY DAY HE DOES NOT FAIL, YET THE UNRIGHTEOUS KNOW NO SHAME. ZEPHANIAH 3:5 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
I read a story about a king who did not believe that God is kind. Fortunately for him, he had a servant who continually pointed out God’s goodness. Often, he would say, “Do not be discouraged, my King, for everything that God does is perfect. He makes no mistakes.”
One day, when the two of them were hunting, a wild animal attacked the king. The servant was successful at saving the king’s life by killing the animal but could not prevent the ruler from losing a finger. Surprisingly, the king was not grateful but instead became angered and said, “If God was good, I would not have been attacked and lost one finger.” The servant replied, “Despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good and everything He does is perfect; He is never wrong.” The king became outraged and ordered the servant to be cast into prison.
A short time later, the king went hunting again but this time he was captured by some a tribe of people who offered human beings as sacrifices. As the tribe members prepared to sacrifice the king on an altar, they noticed the king was missing a finger. They released him because they considered him to be an incomplete sacrifice to their gods.
When the king returned to his palace, he ordered the release of his servant and said, “You are my friend. God has been really good to me. I was almost murdered as a sacrifice but because of not having a single finger, I was freed. However, I have one question. If God is so good, why did He allow me to put you in prison?” With great wisdom and humility, the servant answered:, “My king, if I had gone with you, I would have been sacrificed because I have no missing fingers.”
Zephaniah the prophet was warning the people of the great judgment God was about to enact. He also encouraged the Godly people that God would one day restore those who were faithful to Him. During the course of his preaching, he made it clear that God is never wrong. God never has been wrong and never will be wrong. See the above Scripture verse.
Why is it that you and I often view favorable things that are happening to us as being good but the moment something goes wrong we begin to question God and maybe even blame Him? Things are going well. You feel good about life. Happiness marks the day. Then failure or pain occurs. Frustrations and sadness set in. Disappointment can turn to discouragement which can lead to depression and doubt about God’s goodness.
CAN GOD MAKE MISTAKES? Absolutely not! Neither can God make a mistake or do something sinful or evil. The Bible says that God is never wrong in many different verses. See Zephaniah 3:5. In 2 Samuel 22:31 and Psalm 18:30, the Bible says, “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” God will forever remain the God who can do no wrong because it is built into his character. Deuteronomy 32:4 states, “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” God cannot be holy and be wrong. He told Moses to tell his chosen people, “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” So has God told believers today. See 1 Peter 1:13-16. God cannot say something and lie. Numbers 23:19 states, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind.” What God says is true. When he speaks, he acts. What he promises, he will fulfill.
God works in mysterious ways. That is why you may question or doubt Him. You do not see the big picture. However, you are to keep the faith in God’s all-knowing goodness when you do not understand the what and why things are happening. God can do no wrong. He is good. You can trust Him. God is never unjust or unfair. His love and faithfulness never cease and are new every morning. Read again the above Scripture verse and Lamentations 3:23. God’s intentions are always good and will ultimately lead to blessing. See Romans 8:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and 1 John 1:5.
One of life’s great mistakes is to believe God makes mistakes. God has never blown it, lost it, messed things up, or done anything evil. Nick Vujicic was born without arms or legs. He is a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and travels the world spreading the Good News. Nick said, “I know for certain that God does not make mistakes, but He does make miracles. I am one. You are too.”
SOMETHING TO DO
God always works in your life what is right and best rather than what you may want or desire. Read all the above Bible verses that were not quoted to give yourself a firm grounding in the truth that God never has and never will be wrong. Check out further Bible verses from your concordance about God’s goodness, righteousness, justice, and faithfulness.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Thank you, Almighty God who is my Heavenly Father, that you are never wrong, you never make a mistake, you never do anything accidentally, and you made no mistake when you made me. Teach me through my trials. Use my failure to help me to succeed. Turn my pain into gain. Take my messes and make miracles. Thank you for being good, kind, loving, forgiving, and faithful. AMEN!