Wednesday, 11 November 2026

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When the Enemy Whispers, “What’s the Use?��� Fresh Manna by Pastor Tim Burt

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When the Enemy Whispers, “What’s the Use?”

November 11, 2026
by Timothy Burt

Have you ever prayed about something for so long that you began wondering whether anything was happening? Maybe you’ve believed God for a loved one, your health, your finances, a relationship, or a situation that desperately needs to change. You’ve prayed, stood on God’s promises, tried to do what is right—and yet nothing seems different. That’s often when the enemy begins whispering. Nothing is going to change. Your prayers aren’t working. Look at the world around you. Evil seems to be winning. People who couldn’t care less about God seem to prosper. Why keep believing? What’s the use?

Those thoughts aren’t new. God addressed almost those exact words through the prophet Malachi: “You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands…?’” Malachi 3:14 (NLT)

The people looked around and saw the arrogant prospering and evil seemingly going unpunished. They made a terrible mistake: they judged God’s faithfulness by what they could see at that moment.

That is still one of Satan’s favorite strategies. Jesus called Satan “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 NLT). The enemy wants to take something that hasn’t happened yet and convince you it will never happen. He takes a prayer that hasn’t been answered yet and whispers, God isn’t going to answer it. He takes circumstances that haven’t changed and says, They never will. He points to evil flourishing and whispers, See? Following God doesn’t matter.

But God sees what you cannot see. Malachi tells us that while some were saying, “What’s the use?” something completely different was happening among those who continued trusting God: “Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and always thought about the honor of his name.” Malachi 3:16 (NLT)

I love those words: “the LORD listened.” He was listening! He saw them. He remembered their faithfulness. Their obedience wasn’t unnoticed. Their prayers weren’t disappearing into thin air.

And then God said something wonderful: “‘They will be my people,’ says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. ‘On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure.’” Malachi 3:17 (NLT) Notice those words: “when I act.” God hadn’t acted yet—but He was going to!

And this is where our faith needs to rise instead of retreat. God doesn’t tell us to look at the darkness of this world and surrender to it. He tells us to ask! Speaking prophetically of His Son, God says, “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.” Psalm 2:8 (NIV)  That should stir our faith! Instead of allowing the devil to convince us that nothing can change, we should be asking God to move—in our families, our cities, our nation, and throughout the earth. Pray for people to come to Jesus. Pray for prodigals to come home. Pray for hardened hearts to soften. Pray for righteousness to prevail. Pray for God to intervene where evil seems to be winning. The darkness around us should never become an excuse to stop praying; it should become a reason to pray even more! And then, like He is with you when He asks you to change, be patient because God is working His plan. And like He is with you, He is patient.

That is why we must be careful about drawing conclusions in the middle of our story. When the devil shows you the worst-case scenario, answer him with God’s promises. When he says, Nothing will change, say, “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37 NKJV). When he says your prayers aren’t accomplishing anything, remember, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16 NLT).

And when he whispers, What’s the use of serving God? remember how Malachi ends this passage: “Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” Malachi 3:18 (NLT)

There is a difference. You may not always see it today. You may not see the answer tomorrow. But never interpret God’s faithfulness through today’s circumstances. Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep asking. Keep obeying. Keep serving. Keep planting seeds of faith. And whenever the enemy whispers, “What’s the use?” answer him with God’s Word!

Lamentations 3:25–26 (NLT) “The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, when circumstances tempt me to wonder, What’s the use? help me recognize the enemy’s lies. Help me remember that You see my faith, hear my prayers, and honor those who trust You. Father, I ask You to move in my life, my family, my community, my nation, and throughout the earth. Draw people to Jesus, turn hearts toward You, push back darkness, and let Your purposes prevail. I refuse to judge Your faithfulness by what I see today. I will continue praying, believing, asking, obeying, and serving You, knowing that Your Word is true and that in Your time I will see Your goodness and faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Pastor Tim Burt
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Tuesday, 10 November 2026

Synchronicity in Time beyond Space

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