Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:6-8
“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” Job 1:9-11
Heavenly Father, it’s not a boast, more like a growing realization and longing. Nothing really has to change for me to know your joy… neither people or circumstances… the economy or my health… my job or world events. I don’t love you because you make me happy. I reject Satan’s assumption that the only reason we, your children, love you, is because you buy our affections with “the good life.”
I never saw a carbohydrate (grain) I didn’t like and I enjoy a glass of good red wine as much as anyone, but my love for you does not depend upon you being a 24/7 convenience store for me. Your name is Abba, Father, not Sugar, Daddy.
I love you because you bought me back—you redeemed my life from sin and death by the perfect life of Jesus. I love you because you first loved us and gave Jesus as a sacrifice of atonement and propitiation for our sins. I enjoy the many creature comforts you give me, but I love you in response to your great love lavished on us in the gospel. All that to say, I love you because of who you are. No other god is as merciful, grace-full and loving… no not one!
Though many are asking, “Who can show us any good? Where is your God now? How can you say God is good? Where was your God when….? How could your God possibly…? Why doesn’t your God…?” yet, Lord, I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make us dwell in safety. Though you don’t explain everything to me, because of the gospel I love and trust you.
For, Father, there’s no safer place… in life or in death… than to be in Christ. Because you’ve hidden my life in Jesus, not a hair can fall from my head… not a breath can be taken from my lungs… not a beat can be missed by my heart… apart from your sovereign purposes and pleasure. And should I die in the next hour, my heart will forever proclaim, “Our God has done all things well.” So very Amen, I pray, in Jesus’ most wonderful and worthy name.
