God is Good, All the Time
How often do you tell someone how thankful you are for them? It is often much easier to be critical or cynical of people and situations happening around us in the world today. Sometimes we can even feel entitled, like we deserve certain things that we don’t have.
Even though things don’t always go the way we expect them to in life, God’s Word teaches us that there is always something to be grateful for. God has given us everything good that we have—even the very breath that we take is a gift from God.
Most importantly, Jesus gave His life for us on the cross so that we might have eternal life with Him. The gift of faith and hope in Jesus should lead us toward gratitude and thankfulness toward God.
The writer of Psalm 107 encourages us to give thanks to God always, because there is never a time when God isn’t good towards us. Even in the midst of hard times and difficult seasons of life, God is still good. In fact, Romans 8:28 tells us that God is working behind the scenes to work everything for His good.
The Psalmist also tells us that we should be grateful and give thanks to God because His love endures forever. There will never be a time in your life that God doesn’t love you.
Even when we make mistakes, the love of God still continues.
In Romans 8:38-39, Paul says that there is nothing that can separate us from God’s love. God’s love and goodness endures forever.
We should seek to be the most grateful people on the planet, because the love of God will never end. So take some time today to tell God what you’re grateful for. It may be something simple like sunshine, nature, or a specific person. Creating a daily habit of giving thanks to God is an important step in our spiritual growth.
Don’t Be Surprised
There are some things that shouldn’t surprise us:
Winter blooming to life each spring.
The sun rising every morning.
Our ongoing need for food, water, air, and rest.
Change being an essential part of life.
Likewise, there’s no escaping the fact that life is messy and full of trouble. This beautiful world is fractured. But despite this, Jesus offers us hope:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
What “things” had Jesus just told His disciples?
He was honest about the grief and pain they’d endure but also about the future joy they’d experience. He was preparing their hearts for His death and their persecution but also for His resurrection and their salvation. Jesus’ encouragement to His disciples is also an encouragement to us…
We shouldn’t be surprised that this world is full of challenges—but Jesus is bigger than it all.
Following God ...