Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Isaiah 10:1–11:16 | 2 Corinthians 12:11–21 | Psalm 56:1–13 | Proverbs 23:6–8

---

Walking Forward With God

Well, at least I’m trying…

But am I, really?

Sometimes that’s true, but sometimes we say we are trying when, in reality, we could be doing much better.

God knows our limitations. He knows our weaknesses, and He knows when our heart is genuinely trying.

But sometimes “I’m trying” can also become something we tell ourselves when, deep down, we know we really aren’t.

Today’s Gem made me stop and think about the difference:

“Faithfully walk forward with Me. If you are trying, that’s enough. But are you really trying?”

Ouch.

There’s so much grace in the first part: If you are trying, that’s enough.

God isn’t demanding perfection from us. He’s asking us to faithfully walk forward with Him. We may stumble along the way. We may have days when we make tremendous progress and others when taking one small step feels difficult. But if our heart is genuinely turned toward Him and we’re faithfully trying to follow where He leads, He sees that.

Then comes the question:

But are you really trying?

That’s where we have to be honest with ourselves.

But are you really trying?

That’s where we have to be honest with ourselves. James 1:22 says, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”

Sometimes we genuinely don’t know what to do next. But other times, we already know what God has asked us to do and haven’t taken the step. There is a difference between wanting to do something and actually trying to do it. Sometimes we genuinely don’t know what to do next. Other times, we know exactly what the next step is. We just don’t want to take it.

I love how today’s Psalm describes a life that is still moving forward despite difficulty. David was afraid. He was being pursued by enemies, and his circumstances were far from easy. Yet he says, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3 NLT).

Notice that David didn’t say he was never afraid. He made a choice about what he would do when he was afraid. That’s faithful movement.

Trusting God doesn’t always look like confidently marching forward without hesitation. Sometimes it looks like being scared and taking the next step anyway.

David later says, “For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light” (Psalm 56:13 NLT).

I love that picture: walking in His presence.

That’s what God is asking us to do. Not race ahead of Him. Not have everything figured out. Not become perfect overnight.

Just faithfully keep walking with Him.

Paul’s words in today’s reading from 2 Corinthians also show that following God sometimes requires us to examine ourselves honestly. Paul cared deeply for the Corinthians, but he wasn’t willing to pretend everything was fine when there were things among them that needed to change. He was concerned that he might find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, gossip, arrogance, and disorder when he returned (2 Corinthians 12:20).

Grace doesn’t mean God never asks us to change.

Sometimes His love comforts us and says, “Keep going. I see how hard you’re trying.”

And sometimes that same love asks, “But are you really trying?”

Only we and God truly know the answer.

Maybe you’ve been beating yourself up because you’re not where you think you should be yet. If you’re genuinely seeking Him, obeying what you know to do, getting back up when you stumble, and continuing forward, give yourself some grace.

Don’t condemn yourself.

Just be honest.

God isn’t asking you to leap all the way to the finish line today. He’s asking you to take the next faithful step with Him.

So ask yourself the question He asked me:

Am I really trying?

And if the answer is yes, keep walking.

If the answer is no, today is a really good day to start. 💎

---

Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take at least 5 minutes to be with the Lord 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!

Let today be a day of honest evaluation with the Lord and keep going one step at a time.

---

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for seeing my heart and knowing when I am genuinely trying, even when my progress feels small. Help me give myself grace when I’m faithfully moving forward, but also give me the courage to be honest when I’ve been making excuses or avoiding what I know to do. I don’t need to be perfect; I just want to keep walking with You. Show me my next step, and give me the faith to take it. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

To read more 5 Minutes with God devotionals click here.