Have you been believing for something and wondering why you have not received it yet?

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 (KJV)

God is a good God. This verse attests to the fact that He isn’t holding out on us. So, if God wants to give us good things, why haven’t we seen the manifestation of what we’ve asked for?

First of all, let’s ask ourselves, “Are we walking uprightly?” This verse tells us that God gives to those who are living right. Are we treating others well? Are we walking in love? Do we have any unforgiveness in our hearts towards anyone? Are we being dishonest or deceitful in anything? Is there strife in our lives? Sin can creep in very subtly. We must be on the guard against it and correct anything the Lord points out to us- even things that seem to be small matters. If we confess our sins, He will forgive us and cleanse us of unrighteousness.

Secondly, let’s ask ourselves, “Is it a good thing that I have asked for?” On the surface, something may look good, but it could actually draw us away from God. Consider the person who believes for a boat and then once they get it spend their Sundays on the boat rather than in the house of God. Or it could be bad for us simply because God has something better in store for us. Maybe you’re believing for a spouse and you even have someone in mind. Maybe they haven’t noticed you because they really aren’t God’s best for you. Although that person may be a godly man or woman and might make a good mate, God may have someone even better down the road.

Finally, let’s think about timing. Perhaps you’re living right and have asked God for something that He sees as being good. It is possible that the timing is off. Let’s go back to the person believing to be married. God may still need to do a work in the person He has for you so that they’re prepared to be a good husband or wife. Or maybe there are some rough edges that need to be sanded down on you for you to make a marriage work. God will have us wait so He can take care of things that could cause difficulty later or so He can bring about the best possible outcome. Be patient and trust that God knows what He is doing.

No matter what you are standing in faith to see, know that God is good and He will not withold anything good from you as you live according to His Word.