Some years ago, perhaps about15, I read a book by Hannah Hurnard titled Hinds’ Feet On High Places. I seem to recall an incident in the story where the Shepherd was talking to Much Afraid and asked her if He could decieve her. After an internal struggle she finally said that if it was possible He could deceive her. Not too long after the conversation the trail took a turn downhill towards a valley. At the time Much Afraid felt like all of the Shepherd’s promises to take her to the mountain top were being broken. She finally remembered the conversation about being deceived and decided to trust the Shepherd anyway. It was only later on that Much Afraid discovered that the path down was really the fastest way to get to her destination.

Why do I relate this story? I have discovered in the past several years that there have been times where I thought I knew how God was going to do something in my life. Sometimes I even stepped out in faith, confident of what God was going to do. Some of these times the result has been different than what I anticipated. At those times I have often second guessed the situation, wondering if I missed the leading of the Lord, wondering if I blew it somehow, feeling like I just don’t understand God and what He is up to. As time has went on I have further discovered that while I felt let down at the time, God had not deceived me. I may have misunderstood what He told me, I may have been confused because of the outcome I expected, but every word that God says is true and His purpose will be accomplished.

“God is not a man that He should lie…“