Are All Of God’s Truths True Even To Me?

It could be from the trauma I’ve had, or maybe it’s a tendency of my flesh to wonder if somehow God’s truths are true for everyone else but not me. Every time I’m brave enough to share this vulnerable outlook with others, I’m always amazed to see that I am often not alone in this thinking.

Through the years, I have come to believe—and even see through experience—that God does love me, He cares for me, and He is in constant pursuit of me. Daily, I recognize those truths in my life.

However, there are still some scriptures that I am hesitant to believe God is saying about me. Just because God said it to one of His prophets thousands of years ago, does that mean it applies to all of us? Do we ever read God’s Word from a situation in the Bible and apply it to ourselves when that was not the intention of God?

These are real questions I have. As I progress from milk to meat (1 Corinthians 3:2–3; Hebrews 5:12–14), I am learning that pulling out a single scripture without taking the context into consideration is dangerous. One example that I learned is Jeremiah 29:11, which says: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Was that verse true for the Israelites who were in Babylonian exile? Yes! But when you read on, you find that God keeps them in exile for another 70 years. There was no immediate rescue, and they still dealt with extreme pain and hardship.

Do I believe that Jeremiah 29:11 is true for me and you, thousands of years later? Yes, I do. But so often we claim it as a truth that will mean we won’t face trials—that it will be an easy road without pain and suffering—and that is not what God is saying. Will God work all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose? Yes. Will we face trials of many kinds along the way? Yes. Must we be willing to suffer as Christ suffered? Yes!

Another example is Isaiah 54:17 that says: “No weapon formed against you will prosper…” This was written to Israel after exile as a promise of national restoration. I have repeated this verse to myself during times of trouble and have felt let down by God when I’ve believed this verse to apply to me in that moment, and yet more suffering follows.

Isaiah 54:17 is not a promise of zero suffering. I believe it’s a promise of spiritual strength and spiritual protection in the midst of physical suffering, pain, and disappointment. We will have troubles in this world—that is also a promise of God. But He follows that promise with, “But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

This next scripture is another commonly used one that was specifically spoken to Joshua in Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous… the Lord is with you wherever you go.” In context, this was said to Joshua about a specific mission where he was appointed to lead Israel into the Promised Land. Is this verse true for everyone? Is it true for the ones who turn their back on God and follow their own will? Is it true for those that scripture says He will hand over to their own evil desires? (Romans 1:24, 26, 28)

Personally, I have had moments in my life where I could not feel God. I was living in sin, and the pain and struggle during that time was awful. However, what made it even worse was that I didn’t have God’s peace and comfort through it. As soon as I repented from the sin and turned back to God, all of that changed. I was filled with a peace and comfort that I could not explain. It didn’t matter the circumstances, for God was with me, and He cared for me. I also can look back and see that God was in constant pursuit of me. Even the dark pits I went through, He used for good.

In this scripture, I feel we must be careful not to apply it when we are fulfilling our evil desires or living in purposeful sin. God is omnipresent and is always there, but His strength and courage—His peace and comfort—are not going to be given to be used toward sin. God had given Joshua a specific mission, and Joshua was obedient in following God’s chosen calling over his life. Joshua walked the path that God had for him despite it being difficult and seemingly impossible. After tasting the presence of the Lord myself, I can verify that He is good, and I never want to be back in a place where I cannot feel the presence of God. There is no greater pain.

Another example would be Exodus 14:14, where Israel was cornered at the Red Sea, and God said: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.” However, there are many other verses in the Bible where God commands us to take action—to actively resist the devil, to put on the armor and stand firm, or to walk around Jericho and blow your trumpets. There are times when God asks you to fight, and there are times when God asks you to be still. This is why we must be in tune with the voice of God to follow our Shepherd as He leads.

Let me clarify, as I wrap up this blog post, that these are thoughts and questions that I am taking to the Lord. I am not saying I am correct or that you shouldn’t apply all scripture directly to your life, but I do think taking it to God and asking Him for direction is always a good idea. I don’t want to use God’s Word as a good-luck charm or believe something that, when taken out of context, isn’t true in my life. I’ll give one last example: I am battling a chronic illness currently. If I were to go and dip myself in the Jordan River, would I be healed? If God told me to go dip myself in the Jordan River seven times and that I would then be healed, then yes, absolutely. But if I decide that, since it worked in the Bible, it must be true for me too, I may find myself out of alignment with God’s will for my life and disappointed in the outcome.

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. This is truly just a ramble from me while I sit and ponder God’s Word. Let me know what God is teaching you in these scriptures. Thank you for reading!