Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Nehemiah 12:27–13:31, 1 Corinthians 11:1–16, Psalm 35:1–16, Proverbs 21:17–18

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Look To God

I think one of the hardest battles we face is the battle within. The enemy tries to tear us down with lies about who we are in an effort to thwart us from accomplishing our calling and purpose in God.

I believe these lies plague us all in one form or another. You’re not good enough. You’re not qualified. You’re too weak. You don’t have what it takes. Someone else could do it better. Who do you think you are?

And if the enemy can get us to believe those lies, he doesn’t necessarily have to stop us himself. We may stop ourselves.

We begin examining our weaknesses, comparing ourselves to others, and taking inventory of everything we think we lack. Eventually, we can become so focused on our own inadequacies that we lose sight of the One who called us in the first place.

But today’s Gem of Knowledge turns our attention away from ourselves and back to the One we should have been looking at all along:

“Everyone lacks without Me. I make you whole. And because I am with you always, that means you do not lack anything. You are enough because I make you enough. You are whole because I make you whole. You are capable because I make you capable. You got this because I got you. Stop looking at yourself and look at Me. Amen.”

There is so much freedom in those words. God isn’t asking us to convince ourselves that we’re independently strong, capable, or sufficient. He is our sufficiency.

Of course we will find weaknesses when we look at ourselves—we’re human. There will always be something we don’t know, something we haven’t mastered, or someone who appears more qualified. But God never intended for us to accomplish His purposes apart from Him.

In today’s reading, Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem and discovers that things have once again fallen into disorder. Responsibilities have been neglected, provisions for the Levites haven’t been maintained, the Sabbath isn’t being honored, and compromise has crept back in.

Nehemiah could have become overwhelmed by everything that was wrong. Instead, he addressed each problem and continued the work God had given him. His ability to fulfill his assignment wasn’t dependent upon perfect circumstances or having an easy task. He continued moving forward with God.

Psalm 35 gives us another picture of that dependence:

“O LORD, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me.”
— Psalm 35:1 NLT

David understood that some battles were bigger than he was. His answer wasn’t to become bigger—it was to call upon God.

The same is true when the battle is happening inside our own minds.

When the enemy says, You’re not enough, we don’t have to argue that we are enough on our own. We can answer, God makes me enough.

When he says, You’re not capable, our answer is, God makes me capable.

When he points out what we’re lacking, we can stop staring at ourselves and remember Who makes us whole.

God knew every weakness you would have when He called you. He knew your personality, your limitations, your past, what you would struggle with, and everything you would still need to learn. None of it surprised Him.

And He still called you.

“You got this because I got you.”

That is where our confidence belongs—not in believing we can do anything, but in knowing that with God, we can do whatever He has called us to do.

So stop allowing the enemy to make you stare at yourself.

Look to God. 💎

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Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take 5 minutes looking to God today. Ask Him:

• “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

Ask Him to show you what is true when He is added to the equation.

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Prayer

Dear Lord, help me recognize the lies that cause me to doubt who You created and called me to be. Forgive me for focusing on my weaknesses instead of Your strength. When I feel inadequate, teach me to look at You. You are my strength, wisdom, and help, and I trust You to make me capable of everything You call me to do. Thank You for making me whole and for reminding me that I don’t have to do any of this without You. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, amen.

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