When it comes to the idea of "deserving the best," it’s easy to think about success, wealth, and comfort. However, as Christians, our understanding of "the best" goes far beyond material possessions.
The Bible teaches us that God's best is rooted in His love, grace, and eternal plan for our lives. It may not always look like what the world considers the best, but it is infinitely better.
God's best is designed to shape us, strengthen us, and ultimately lead us to a deeper relationship with Him.
The Concept of "Deserving" in the Bible
Before diving into specific Bible verses, it’s important to understand that the Bible doesn’t often talk about us "deserving" anything in the way we typically think.
Instead, it focuses on God’s grace—His unmerited favor towards us. The Bible emphasizes that we don’t deserve anything because of our works but receive God’s blessings because of His love and mercy.
As Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us:
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
This means that while we may not "deserve" God’s blessings in a worldly sense, His grace offers us more than we could ever earn on our own. God gives us His best because of who He is, not because of what we’ve done.
God’s Best is Not Always What We Expect
In life, we often have a certain vision of what "the best" looks like—financial success, perfect relationships, or a life without hardship.
However, God’s best for us doesn’t always align with our expectations. Instead, it’s shaped by His eternal perspective and His knowledge of what will truly fulfill us.
Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Sometimes, we might wonder why certain things don’t go our way or why we face challenges, but it’s in these moments that God’s best can often shine through the brightest.
Romans 8:28 assures us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
This verse reveals that even when life doesn’t go as planned, God is still working to bring about His best for us—something that may be far greater than what we initially wanted.
God's best often includes spiritual growth, character building, and a deeper reliance on Him. He is more concerned with our eternal well-being than our temporary comforts, and His plan always leads to greater fulfillment than we could achieve on our own.
God’s Promises for Those Who Seek Him
Throughout the Bible, God reassures us that those who seek Him will experience His best. This doesn’t necessarily mean an easy or luxurious life, but rather one that is rich in His blessings—peace, joy, strength, and purpose.
Matthew 6:33 reminds us:
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
When we align our hearts with God’s will and prioritize His kingdom, He promises to take care of our needs. Often, we get caught up in pursuing what we think will make us happy, but God calls us to focus on Him first.
By doing so, we position ourselves to receive the best He has in store for us—whether that’s spiritual wisdom, emotional peace, or even practical needs like financial provision.
Moreover, Psalm 37:4 tells us:
"Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."
This doesn’t mean that God is a genie granting us whatever we wish for, but rather that when we delight in Him, our desires begin to align with His will. As we grow closer to God, our understanding of "the best" changes, and we begin to desire what He desires for us.
Biblical Examples of God Giving His Best
The Bible is filled with stories of individuals who trusted in God’s plan and received His best, even when it didn’t look like the best from a worldly perspective. Below are some powerful stories that illustrate God’s generosity and grace:
1. Abraham and Isaac – The Promise of a Nation
One of the clearest examples of God giving His best is found in the story of Abraham. God promised Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation, even though Abraham and Sarah were childless and well beyond childbearing years.
In Genesis 21, Isaac was born as the fulfillment of God's promise. But God’s test came when He asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.
In Abraham’s willingness to obey, God not only spared Isaac but reaffirmed His covenant with Abraham, blessing him with descendants as numerous as the stars. God's best for Abraham came through a test of faith, showing that when we trust Him fully, He provides more than we can imagine.
2. Joseph – From Prison to Power
The story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50) is another example of God turning a dire situation into something greater than Joseph could have ever hoped for. Betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, Joseph endured years of hardship, including false imprisonment.
Yet, through his perseverance and trust in God, Joseph was raised to a position of power in Egypt, eventually saving his family and countless others from famine. What seemed like suffering was God preparing Joseph for His best—becoming a leader, reconciler, and a protector of his people.
3. Ruth – Finding Redemption Through Obedience
Ruth’s story (Ruth 1-4) highlights how God often gives His best through seemingly ordinary circumstances. After losing her husband, Ruth remained loyal to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and chose to follow Naomi’s God.
Though Ruth was a foreigner and widowed, God orchestrated events so that she would marry Boaz, a wealthy and godly man, and together they became the great-grandparents of King David.
Ruth's faithfulness and obedience led to God’s best for her—both in her immediate blessings and her place in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
4. Hannah – The Gift of Samuel
Hannah, unable to have children, prayed fervently for a son and promised to dedicate him to the Lord if He answered her prayer (1 Samuel 1). God not only gave her Samuel, one of Israel’s greatest prophets, but He also blessed her with more children afterward.
Hannah’s story is a reminder that when we trust God with our deepest desires, He answers in ways that fulfill His purposes and bring blessings far beyond what we could have asked for.
5. The Israelites – Manna in the Wilderness
In Exodus 16, when the Israelites were wandering in the desert after being freed from slavery in Egypt, they began to complain about the lack of food. In response, God provided them with manna, bread from heaven, which sustained them for 40 years.
Although it wasn’t what they expected, it was exactly what they needed. God’s best for them wasn’t abundance by worldly standards but provision in the midst of scarcity—a reminder that God’s best often looks different from what we anticipate, yet it is always enough.
6. Job
The story of Job is another profound example of God’s best in action. Despite losing everything—his wealth, his children, and his health—Job remained faithful to God.
Even though he didn’t understand why he was suffering, Job continued to trust in God’s goodness. In the end, God restored Job’s fortunes, giving him twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10).
This story shows that while God’s best may involve trials, His blessings often come after periods of testing and growth.
Each of these stories reminds us that God’s best is not always immediate or predictable. Sometimes it comes through waiting, through hardship, or in ways we didn’t expect. But as we trust His plan and follow His lead, we can be assured that His best will always come to fruition—just as it did for Abraham, Joseph, Ruth, Hannah, Israelites, and the Job.
Trusting in God’s Timing for His Best
One of the hardest aspects of receiving God’s best is trusting in His timing. We live in a world of instant gratification, where waiting can feel frustrating or discouraging. However, the Bible teaches us that God’s timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t align with our own.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us:
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
This verse reminds us that God is at work in the grand scope of eternity, orchestrating things in ways that we may not understand in the moment. His plans are not confined to our schedules, but they are always aimed at our ultimate good.
The story of David becoming king of Israel is a powerful example of waiting on God’s timing. Although David was anointed as king while he was still a young shepherd, he didn’t actually ascend to the throne until many years later.
During that waiting period, David faced immense trials, including being pursued by King Saul. Yet, through it all, David trusted in God’s plan and timing, and eventually, he became one of the greatest kings of Israel. His patience allowed him to step into the fullness of God’s best for him.
Psalm 27:14 encourages us:
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
Waiting is not a passive act; it requires faith, strength, and trust in God’s wisdom. When we patiently wait for God’s timing, we open ourselves up to receiving His best, which is always worth the wait.
God's Best in Times of Struggle
Life’s challenges can sometimes make us question if we are truly deserving of God’s best. Yet, the Bible consistently teaches that it is often in our hardest moments that we are most positioned to experience God’s greatest blessings. Struggles refine our faith and deepen our dependence on God, drawing us closer to His purpose for our lives.
In James 1:2-4, we are reminded:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
This passage emphasizes that God uses our struggles not to harm us, but to strengthen and refine us. When we are in the midst of difficult times, it can feel as though we are far from deserving the best, but God’s plan is to bring us through those challenges with a stronger faith and a clearer vision of His goodness.
Consider the story of Paul and his "thorn in the flesh" in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Paul asked God three times to remove this difficulty from his life, but God’s response was, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Instead of removing the struggle, God gave Paul the strength to endure it, allowing His power to shine through Paul’s weakness. This illustrates that sometimes God’s best comes not in the removal of our struggles, but in the strength He gives us to overcome them.
God’s best is often revealed in our weakest moments, when we learn to rely on His strength rather than our own. It is in those times of struggle that we experience His peace, grace, and provision most profoundly.
How to Position Yourself for God’s Best
Receiving God’s best isn’t about earning His favor through good deeds, but about positioning yourself in alignment with His will. God’s blessings flow most abundantly when we walk in obedience, faith, and trust in His plan. Here are some key ways to open your heart to receiving God’s best:
1. Live in Obedience to God’s Word
Obedience is a cornerstone of receiving God’s best. When we follow His commands and live according to His teachings, we create space for His blessings to flow into our lives.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 says:
"If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God."
Obedience brings us into alignment with God’s heart, making us more receptive to the blessings He has prepared for us.
2. Develop a Heart of Gratitude
A grateful heart acknowledges that every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). By cultivating gratitude, we become more aware of God’s presence in our lives and more open to recognizing His blessings.
Even in difficult times, giving thanks can shift our perspective and remind us that God is always working for our good.
3. Seek God in Prayer
Prayer is essential for positioning ourselves to receive God’s best. Through prayer, we communicate with God, seek His guidance, and invite His will to be done in our lives.
Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
By staying connected to God through prayer, we remain grounded in His promises and prepared to receive His blessings.
4. Walk in Faith and Trust
Faith is crucial to receiving God’s best. We must trust that His plans are good and that He is faithful to fulfill His promises.
Hebrews 11:6 tells us: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Trusting God, even when circumstances are unclear, allows us to walk in alignment with His purpose and experience the fullness of His blessings.
God’s Best in Eternity
While we often focus on receiving God’s best in this life, the Bible teaches that the ultimate expression of His best is reserved for eternity.
God’s promises extend beyond our time on earth, pointing to the eternal life we will experience with Him in heaven.
This eternal perspective helps us remember that even if we face struggles or unmet desires in this world, God’s greatest gift is the promise of eternal life with Him.
John 14:2-3 offers this comforting assurance:
"My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
Jesus Himself reminds us that He is preparing a place for us in heaven—a place far greater than anything we could imagine here on earth. This promise encourages us to remain faithful, knowing that the best is yet to come. No matter what we face in life, the hope of eternity with God provides comfort and peace.
Additionallyp, Revelation 21:4 gives us a glimpse of this eternal future:
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
In eternity, we will experience the fullness of God’s best—free from pain, suffering, and sin. This eternal reward is what ultimately defines "deserving the best" from God. It is a gift, not something we can earn, but something we are given because of His grace and love.
As Christians, we live with the blessed hope of knowing that the best is still to come. God’s ultimate plan for us includes not only blessings in this life but eternal joy and peace with Him in heaven.
Conclusion: Embracing God’s Best
The idea of "deserving the best" is not about striving for perfection or worldly success but recognizing that God, in His love and grace, desires to give us His best. As we trust in His plan, walk in obedience, and lean into His timing, we open ourselves to the fullness of His blessings—both in this life and in eternity.
It’s important to remember that God’s best for us isn’t always what we expect. It may come in the form of blessings through trials, strength in weakness, or peace in the midst of chaos. What remains constant is that His best is always for our good and His glory.
As you reflect on the Bible verses and stories shared in this post, may you be reminded of how deeply God loves you and how committed He is to giving you His very best. Trust in Him, seek His will, and let His blessings flow into every area of your life.
A Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the assurance that You desire to give us Your best. Help us to trust Your timing and walk in obedience, knowing that You are working all things together for our good.
Give us the faith to endure difficult times, the patience to wait for Your blessings, and the wisdom to recognize the good things You’ve already given us.
We look forward to the eternal life You have promised, knowing that Your ultimate best is yet to come. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does the Bible say about deserving the best?
The Bible teaches that God desires to give His children good things, not necessarily because we "deserve" them by our efforts but because of His love and grace. Romans 8:32 says, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" This reminds us that God’s best comes to us as a gift through Jesus Christ, not something we earn.
How can I know if I’m receiving God’s best?
You can recognize God’s best by staying rooted in His Word and maintaining a close relationship with Him through prayer and obedience. Psalm 37:4 encourages us to "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." When your heart is aligned with God’s will, His best for you will become clearer, and you will experience peace, joy, and contentment in His plans.
Is waiting on God part of receiving His best?
Yes, waiting is often a crucial part of receiving God’s best. Isaiah 40:31 says, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Waiting on God builds faith and patience, preparing you to receive what He has in store at the right time.
Why do I face struggles if God wants the best for me?
Struggles are part of life, but they are not an indication that God is withholding His best from you. In fact, God often uses challenges to strengthen your faith and develop your character. Romans 5:3-4 says, "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
What is God’s ultimate "best" for me?
God’s ultimate best is the gift of eternal life with Him. While He blesses us in many ways here on earth, His greatest promise is the hope of eternity, free from pain, suffering, and death. John 3:16 assures us, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
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