The last time we met I was talking about my daddy and what a good father he was. A lot like my Heavenly Father, -- you know, slow to anger, but quick to show a lot of love and mercy. Oh, for sure, my earthly dad was a disciplinarian... I knew that stern look of his… but I never feared his wrath. When Daddy would be sitting at his desk and painting (oil painting was a hobby of his)… he liked to pull out his paints after dinner and set them up. Sometimes he’d reach down, put me up on his knee, and invite me to get out my crayons and color alongside... I tell you what, you never saw such a happy kid as me.
There was one time I accidentally squashed one of his tubes of oil paint all over the palette and onto his desk. I made a huge mess and although I cannot quite remember the details, I think I even smeared some of the color on his canvas. I was convinced my father would never, ever want me by his side again when he was oil painting, but not so. The next time he brought out his box of paints and I hesitantly came up to his desk, he was happy to invite me up on his knee. I cannot remember my father ever being reluctant to show me kindness. He was happy to do it. My father was a good man.
And my Father in heaven – your Father in heaven – is a good God. Not once will you ever find the God of the Bible reluctant to show you kindness. Think about that! He is happy to do good toward you. The God of the Bible is not unwilling or hesitant or even averse to showing you mercy. In Jeremiah chapter 32, God says of His people, “I will rejoice in doing them good and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and with all my soul.” That’s God speaking and that’s amazing. God not only has your good in mind… but He’s happy about it. He rejoices over doing good toward you. And He does it with all His heart and soul. Wow, what a picture of passion!
That is so unlike the image many of us have of God. Even after we experience His forgiveness, we sometimes have a hard time shaking the idea that God somewhere, way down deep, still harbors some displeasure with us. We mess up. We sin. We make mistakes. We rebel. And we’re sure He’s never again going to invite us to partner with Him in anything. We figure we’ve fallen from some divine plan “A,” and we assume the Lord has now become more enamored with Christians who are more obedient than we are. Well, we need to remember Jeremiah chapter 32. God rejoices in doing us good. Psalm 149 verse 4 says that the Lord takes pleasure in His people and He adorns the humble with victory.
If you’re doubting the goodness – and I mean the overflowing abundant glad goodness of your Heavenly Father today – then take a minute to meditate on these verses. Humble yourself before the Lord Jesus and begin to sense His great pleasure in welcoming you close to His side. After all, that’s what a good father does.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 93176
© Joni and Friends