Paul made a surprising statement: the goodness of God leads you to repentance. (Rom. 2:4b NKJV)
Sometimes we don’t think God is truly good. We don’t like to hear about people who suffer. When we hear stories about people who turn to God in the middle of a crisis, we might even think God arranged the problem in the first place. We blame Him for it—think He should have prevented it. We can even decide He doesn’t want people to be happy or to walk in blessing.
I don’t know what God does or does not arrange. Sin and Satan contribute greatly to the overall fabric of life. But one thing is certain. We cannot sincerely call upon God—whether in the middle of a crisis or whether enjoying pleasant circumstances—unless we believe He is good. If we cannot believe He is good, we will only go through the motions of asking Him to help. Our hearts will be hard and proud. We will not expect Him to answer.
If we believe God is good, however, we will be drawn to Him. We will dare confess our sins to Him. We will trust that He can strengthen us. Or even intervene in our behalf!
Originally published November 1, 1991.
Picture: Flowers in Thailand, 2007. Photo by Patty.
Sometimes we don’t think God is truly good. We don’t like to hear about people who suffer. When we hear stories about people who turn to God in the middle of a crisis, we might even think God arranged the problem in the first place. We blame Him for it—think He should have prevented it. We can even decide He doesn’t want people to be happy or to walk in blessing.
I don’t know what God does or does not arrange. Sin and Satan contribute greatly to the overall fabric of life. But one thing is certain. We cannot sincerely call upon God—whether in the middle of a crisis or whether enjoying pleasant circumstances—unless we believe He is good. If we cannot believe He is good, we will only go through the motions of asking Him to help. Our hearts will be hard and proud. We will not expect Him to answer.
If we believe God is good, however, we will be drawn to Him. We will dare confess our sins to Him. We will trust that He can strengthen us. Or even intervene in our behalf!
Originally published November 1, 1991.
Picture: Flowers in Thailand, 2007. Photo by Patty.
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