The Counterfeit Blessing: How the Devil Imitates God’s Timing

Don't Settle for Tuesday's Counterfeit

Have you ever prayed for something so long you felt you couldn't wait another day? That feeling, that desperation, is one of the most dangerous positions to be in.

Many men and women, led astray by desperation, are suffering in ways we can't imagine. The biggest problem is that some of them seem like they're enjoying themselves. They think they are in a good place. Physically, that might be what it looks like. But spiritually, you'll find it is a totally different story.

We need to remember that our perspective of life is not God's. You see yourself as jobless. You see yourself as someone who could never reach the levels you see in the media. You see yourself as someone not worth the attention most people get. You undermine and underestimate yourself.

But on the other hand, when God looks at you, He sees an anointed leader. He sees someone great.

Consider what they did to Jesus: the humiliation, the torture, the crucifixion. To us, it looked like a tragedy. But in God's plan, it was the key to our salvation, and it's why we are where we are today. The Bible says, "all things work together for good to those who love God" (Romans 8:28). This is why it is so important for us as Christians to judge everything we see, hear, and feel in light of God's Word.

The Anchor of Patience

This is not a new command. The Bible is clear about our role in the waiting. Let's look at our proof text for today:

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

James 5:7-8 (NLT)

Be patient. Wait for the Lord. This command to wait is central to our faith because everything has its own time, and only in its proper time can something be perfect. If it's too early, then it is not from God. God is true to His word. If your time to receive is Wednesday, God will definitely give it to you on Wednesday. Nothing and no one can stop it.

The Danger of a "False Good Thing"

But desperation creates a vulnerability: the kingdom of darkness knows your blessing is set for Wednesday, so it will come to you on Tuesday or Monday with a counterfeit—something that looks exactly like what you prayed for. Physically, it will look like your blessing, like a solution. But spiritually, it is something totally different.

You were praying for a job. God prepares a job for you, one that pays $10,000 per month. But because of your desperation for a salary, the kingdom of darkness presents you with another opportunity, another job, that pays $15,000 per month.

The one from God is $10,000. The one from the kingdom of darkness is $15,000.

Now, looking at these two options from a worldly perspective, without knowing God's opinion, which one do you think you'll go for? Definitely the $15,000, right? I mean, who wouldn't want the extra money?

But here's the real problem: when the devil gives you something you think you need, he presents it openly, knowing that behind your back, he is stealing something far greater than you can ever imagine.

The Price of Counterfeit Blessings

When you are desperate, you put yourself in a very vulnerable position. You have exposed things you were never meant to expose, leaving things unprotected that should have been covered by the Spirit of God.

How many people do you know who, after a divorce, are left with hearts full of anger and resentment? That is not the same state of heart they went into that marriage with. Spiritually, they were in a certain position when they went in, but when they left, many great things were stolen. Peace was stolen. The heart of forgiveness was stolen. And now, all because of that one painful relationship, "all men are terrible" or "all women are evil."

They went into the marriage with an open, happy heart, full of hope. They came out of it harboring a negative outlook on life itself. It is a very dangerous position to be in.

Why God Makes Us Wait

No one said this would be easy. In fact, Jesus told us that in this world, we will face challenges of all kinds. But even those things are permitted for a reason—a very good reason. Jesus allows these hard times to come upon us because they are the very things that will one day make us stand tall and declare "Jesus is Lord" in truth and in spirit.

The key has always been our hearts. Our link to God is our heart—our spirit.

When God allows challenges into our lives, He allows them to purify our hearts, making sure we are ready for the blessing that is to come. There are some things in your heart that, if you received the blessing you've been crying for, would destroy it. You can't go into marriage with a heart full of resentment, anger, and unforgiveness. What do you think that's going to do to your marriage? If your partner makes one mistake, what will that anger in your heart do? It will destroy it.

The journey is more important than the destination because it is in the journey where we see God. Right now you're desperate, you're crying for something. If it wasn't for that situation, if it wasn't for that problem, you wouldn't have recognized God; you wouldn't have gone to God.

If everything was going fine, we would generally forget about God. But when we face hard times, we remember Him. That's when we pray in truth. That's when we seek His word in truth. How else can He teach us?

Peace Before the Promise

Here's my advice: When going through a situation, do not focus on the negative or the situation itself. Focus on gaining the strength to learn from it, to understand God's perspective on it. Focus on what is right. Focus on building. Focus on peace.

And that is exactly what you will have, even if your situation isn't "soft."

If you do not have peace before you have what you're looking for, it means that when you receive it, it will have power over you. It will control you. But if you have peace before you receive it, it means you will be the one in control of it.

There are some things even more important than what you are asking for. What's the number one thing? A relationship with God. The Spirit of God. You can't buy it. No marriage, promotion, job, or business can afford you the Spirit of God. It is freely given, and only to those who open their hearts to it.

I know it's painful, but wait for the Lord. It might not be today or tomorrow. But one thing for sure: He is coming. Wait for Him. Be patient.

He is preparing something big for you, something special, something that will last. Something permanent. This cycle of receiving blessings only to lose them has to stop. We need to be in the right spiritual position to receive the right blessings. That is the only way we will be sure to receive permanent blessings.

I say this as both advice and a warning: Do not be desperate.