God can do anything and everything! The hope and help this truth offers is a balm to my soul when I’m in need of answered prayer and strength to move on. But there is also comfort in looking at the things God doesn’t do. It’s not that He can’t; we know He can do anything because He is God. But it’s more that He won’t or that His character is not capable of evil.
Let’s take a few minutes and uncover a few of the things God doesn’t or can’t do. And I’m so thankful He doesn’t.
“Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17).
1. God Does Not Fail
Before I lay my head on my pillow each night, I’m faced with the reality of my sin nature. Failure is a part of humanity. It comes into this world with each of us. But God doesn’t sin. His holiness is what makes Him God. Without sin, He holds the power to forgive sin, to cover sin, to uncover sin, to reveal, convict, and pardon all sin.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
God’s perfection gives us divine direction. It’s not that He holds our sin against us, but rather offers to take our sin. His perfection doesn’t make our failure feel worse, it makes His holiness shine. It gives us a place to lay our sin and burdens down.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).
2. God Does Not Fear
“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8).
We are living in a day and age where fear is everywhere. It only takes one look at the state of current events to ignite fear in the heart of even the most faithful. There are a lot of difficult circumstances surrounding us. It seems fear and worry are more common now than they’ve ever been. But God does not fear because He is the author of the opposite of fear.
Rather than fear, He is peace. Rather than fear, He is rest. Rather than fear, He is hope. Rather than fear, He is faith. Rather than fear, He is love. We have no need to live in fear with God, because God conquers all fear. He is perfect. And in His perfect love, there is no place for fear.
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (1 John 4:18).
3. God Does Not Forsake His Children
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
God will not leave you to figure out life on your own. He walks with His children and loves them. So if you are in Christ, you have the promise of living with Him day by day. You have access to Him at all times. And He will never ever leave you or walk out.
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6).
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Photo credit: iBelieve.com
4. God Does Not Misunderstand
“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36).
Have you ever felt like someone completely misunderstood what you did or said? God cannot misunderstand. He knows the deepest thoughts and intents of your heart. He knows your motives, and your desires.
He doesn’t try to twist your words or read into your actions. He already knows. He won’t misquote you or derive a story from a few second-hand facts. God always understands and always knows the whole story. This gives me sweet peace when I feel like no one “gets” me. God does.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart’” (1 Samuel 16:7).
5. God Does Not Make Mistakes
“Oops! I didn’t mean for that to happen.” God doesn’t accidentally slip up or mess up. He won’t let you down. Even when things seem like they aren’t working out quite right, God is always at work for good. He takes the most messed up, broken things and makes good from them. God is not waiting to see if you can get out of the mess you are in or wondering how your life might turn out. He is working to extend grace and mercy for you.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
While God can do anything is a battle cry I won’t stop saying and claiming, I’m also comforted in knowing these things that God won’t do.
He is my King and my Shepherd. My Friend and my Father. And I’m so thankful that no matter what, His mercy is always extended and His promises are constantly true. Let’s praise Him for the way He won’t let us down or lead us astray. God is not misunderstanding or getting ready to leave if you mess up one more time. He is here. And His love isn’t going to let you down.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Navneet Mahajan
Micah Maddox is a wife, mama, friend, Bible teacher, and author of a James: Tired, Tested, Torn, and Full of Faith. You can find encouraging resources FREE HERE! Micah is passionate about helping women learn what it truly means to daily walk with Jesus. She is on the Proverbs 31 Ministries First 5 Writing Team and writes for Encouragement From Women. Her main ministry is at home with her husband, Rob, who leads worship at Clear Springs Baptist Church in East Tennessee, and with her five children, some by birth, and some by adoption. Micah's heart for her local church is what fuels her desire to keep writing, teaching, and serving. Micah loves to give a voice to hurting hearts and writes and speaks to the one who needs encouragement. You can connect with her on Instagram or micahmaddox.com.