It’s constantly on the radio. And it’s sung almost every Sunday. With tears in our eyes and hands lifted high, we join others and loudly sing:
“You’re a good, good Father. It’s who You are. It’s who You are.”
The truth of this song resonates throughout church buildings on Sunday as believers corporately proclaim an eternal truth in a simple chorus.
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” (Psalm 103:8)
But on Mondays, when the Dow is down, gas prices are up, politicians are bickering like children, there are rumors of forthcoming layoffs, and there’s been another act of horrific violence, those hands that were lifted on Sunday are sometimes shaking.
In those moments, we can sometimes find ourselves questioning, or even accusing, God of being slightly less than as good as He’s declared.
We sing songs of God’s goodness, His power, His kindness, and His love, only to find ourselves later entertaining the question: “If God is so good, then why did this happen?”
Then we find ourselves wondering how many times we sing words we don’t fully believe.
Because we live in a fallen world that is increasingly displaying the effects of sin, it’s important to anchor ourselves in the truth of what God says about everything, particularly His character and nature.
Singing the truth is a powerful weapon in the lives of believers. It changes our hearts, minds, and perspectives, allowing us to believe truth regardless of the circumstances around us.
When the doctor’s report comes back to us with news we don’t want to hear, we can acknowledge what we hear and know that God says of Himself, “I am the God who heals you.”
Or when the ones we love seem to be swayed by the world, straying away from the Lord and His perfect leadership, we can trust the One who is Faithful and True and know that He says about Himself, “He who began a good work will complete it to the coming of Christ Jesus.”
When the nations of the earth are in desperate need of sound, godly leadership, we are reminded that the Lord is the One who sets up kings and tears them down.
And when our financial responsibilities seem to be greater than our available resources, we learn to trust in the God “who supplies all our needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus.”
Many times, when we’re faced with the challenging moments of life, we can find ourselves reacting like the disciples did when confronted by a storm in the midst of their journey across the Galilee.
On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side”‘ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” (Mark 4:35–41)
Yes, we live in challenging times. But we are in relationship with the One who knows and takes care of His children.
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.” (Isaiah 49:15–16)
This week, pick one of our devotional sets from the prayer room archives and spend some time meditating on the Father who has displayed His compassion throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. Today He adamantly declares to you, “I am the God who changes not.”
Our Father greatly desires for us to know Him, to trust Him, and live in the fullness of His plan that guarantees our hope and our future as children of a good, good Father.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16–17)
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs.” (Romans 8:15–17)
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.” (Romans 8:32–33)
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37–39)
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1)
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:7-10)
“‘Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?'” (Matthew 6:26)
“‘Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.'” (Luke 12:32)
“‘”Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'” (Isaiah 41:10)
