Who
would you say you know best? I think
of some of my closest friends. I know Erin's favorite
color is yellow, and the first thing she does every
morning is put on a pair of socks to keep her toes
warm. My sister likes to eat out of funny shaped
bowls with funny shaped spoons, and drink out of
measuring cups. My dad laughs every time he hears
the word "green". Eric and Mike absolutely
cannot hide a secret. All you have to do is look
at them and they burst out laughing! Isn't it great
to really know someone? Don't you love it when you
can finish their sentences and know how to make
them smile!
This month a teacher encouraged our
Bible study group to know
God. How ridiculous it would be to someday stand
before a God we do not know! Let's get to know Him
a little better today.
Recently I was reading Jonah's story,
and I realized how true it is when it says in Isaiah
55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are are your ways my ways, says the Lord.”
I thank God His thoughts were different from Jonah's!
Jonah didn't want the people of Nineveh
to be spared - he didn't think they deserved mercy.
But God saw they had changed their ways and their
hearts, and He was thrilled to show them mercy.
Thrilled! He even saved the animals. When I read
that section, it's so obvious to me that God's way
is the best way and that Jonah is being pretty selfish
and ridiculous...but it also |
Makes
me wonder how often I second guess God.
Note to self: His thoughts are not my
thoughts, they are much higher!
Personal goal: Change my thoughts to
match His.
This is something we can know
about our Heavenly Father - He is merciful, He has
a real soft spot for people, and He's not ashamed
to show it.
Psalms 103:8-11 tells us, “The
Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and
abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us, nor
will he keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to
our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the
earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear
Him”
We can know from this passage and others
that God is so good to us, even (and especially)
when we don't deserve it, We don't deserve eternal
life, but praise God for his great love and mercy
to give us Jesus!
There was one other thing I took away
from the book of Jonah, our weaknesses and shortcomings,
even our fears and rebellions, can not keep us from
His love, plan, and purpose.
Jonah physically ran away from God.
But God saved him in the sea, and gave him another
chance. How merciful! How gracious is our God! Do
you realize what that means? God is not limited
by our current weaknesses. |
He is patient with
us, like a father He teaches, He will make us
able to walk and talk and work with Him! Oh that
we would know Him better! Do you know what makes
him laugh? Do you know what makes Him weep? Do
you know what He thinks about you? From what I
see, He thinks a lot of you! Take a moment today
to stop and just love Him, just to bless His name
and thank Him for His magnificent mercy and grace.
He sent Jesus so He could live forever with us!
I know He delights in the praise of His people.
Bless
the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth
all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;
who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender
mercies;
Ps 103:2-4 |
