Good But Not God

Have you ever been in a situation where everything just seemed to click? The circumstances were perfect, the signs lined up, and it felt like a sure thing. You thought, “This must be God!” But then, after moving forward, you discovered it wasn’t what you expected. What happened? This is a reality many of us face—our senses tell us something is good, but God may not be in it.

The story in Joshua 9 is a prime example. The Gibeonites showed up with worn-out clothes and stale bread, looking like they had travelled from a far-off land. The Israelites took one look and said, “This makes sense.” They saw the evidence, heard the story, and assumed they had all the information they needed. But here’s the problem: They didn’t ask God. And because they relied on their senses, they made a covenant with people they were meant to destroy. It may have looked like God’s plan, but God wasn’t in it.

How often do we do the same thing? We walk by sight, trusting what we see, hear, and feel. Yet, Proverbs 14:12 warns us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” This is a wake-up call! Just because something looks good, sounds good, or feels right doesn’t mean it’s from God. Our senses, as sharp as they may seem, can mislead us if we’re not seeking His guidance.

I once desperately tried to change my job for a lot of reasons (top of the list being more money). Then out of the blue I got an offer three times my salary to join an established company. At this point, I shouldn’t waste any time, but I had to pray about it. The more I prayed the more I was disturbed in my spirit. To make matters worse, I started seeing the number ‘3’ and I couldn’t explain how it was all related. I decided to speak with my pastor about it. As I began to speak, he told me to stop. God opened his eyes and he saw that if I accepted that offer, I would be out of job in 3 months. Instantly, the number ‘3’ that I had been seeing suddenly made sense, the gloom in my spirit suddenly became clear. At that moment, I knew this was good but it wasn’t God. 

How about you? Think about a time in your life when you relied on what seemed obvious, only to realise later it wasn’t the right move. Maybe it was a job opportunity just like me, a relationship, or a major decision that seemed perfect on the surface. Did you pause to ask, “God, is this your plan, or am I just running with what looks good?” The Israelites didn’t pay attention to these details, and it cost them. How many times could we avoid unnecessary pain if we just took the time to ask?

This doesn’t mean we ignore our senses—they’re a gift from God—but they aren’t the final authority. Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding. It’s a reminder that no matter how clear a path may seem, seeking God’s counsel is always the wisest choice. He sees what we can’t, and His guidance never fails.

The next time you’re faced with a decision that seems like a no-brainer, stop and ask God, “Is this from you?” It’s a simple step, but it can save us from the consequences of walking by sight instead of faith. Don’t just rely on what makes sense—rely on the God who knows all.